JEFFERSON CITY — One state senator’s plan to eliminate 61 seats in the Missouri House could save taxpayers close to $10 million per year, according to a nonpartisan fiscal analysis.
The proposal by Sen. , R-Holts Summit, would reduce the size of the House from 163 members to 102.
The Senate Rules Committee held a public hearing on the proposed constitutional amendment Tuesday.
If approved by the House and Senate, voters would get the final say on the proposed changes. The new Missouri House makeup would take effect after the 2032 elections.
A nonpartisan fiscal analysis said the proposal could save the state $2.4 million annually in lawmaker salaries and another $1.8 million in fringe benefits.
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Taxpayers could save an additional $1.4 million in per diems, mileage reimbursement and expenses, the analysis said.
With no lawmakers to work for, dozens of legislative assistants could lose their jobs. That could save taxpayers more than $4 million annually in salaries and fringe benefits.
All told, Fitzwater’s plan could mean a more than $9.6 million savings for taxpayers. That’s a small portion of the overall state budget, which could surpass $50 billion next fiscal year.
Fitzwater’s proposed constitutional amendment would also alter state legislative term limits that voters overwhelmingly ushered in in 1992.
Lawmakers currently may serve eight years in the House and eight years in the Senate.
Under Fitzwater’s proposal, they would be able to serve 16 years in one chamber.
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