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The legislature has appropriated four-million dollars to begin operating a new juvenile justice facility in Bunkie. Once fully funded at 12 million dollars, the site will host 72 beds, and utilize the Missouri Model that emphasizes rehabilitation methods to deal with young offenders. Office of Juvenile Justice Deputy Secretary Dr. James Bueche (Bush) says it provides relief to an overburdened system.

Cut 3 (12) “those facilities.”

The facility will house juvenile offenders who have been classified as a threat to the community, and thus are not eligible for community based rehabilitation.

Bueche says the new location will build on modern therapeutic research that shows better outcomes for kids who get a good education while being treated, and receive specialized care.

Cut 4  (09) “the dorm.”

High school diploma programs, and vocational training will be offered.

Bueche says he trusts that if the new facility gets fully funded, they’ll be able to show the same positive results that have been produced in other states.

Cut 5  (10) “manner.”

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After two years and seven special sessions, the state now has a path forward on revenue that provides enough money to fully fund most state services at their current levels. The finalizing of a compromise of 4.45 percent sales tax has many people, including Political Analyst Clancy DuBos, relived to be past the constant threats of deep cuts to higher ed and healthcare.

Cut 6 (12)  “permanent fix.”

The fiscal cliff was the result of one-point-four-billion dollars in expiring taxes. Because of additional state income tax revenues as a result of federal tax reform and some spending reductions, only 466 million of the expiring taxes were needed to fund TOPS, higher ed, and healthcare. DuBos says that equates to a tax cut relative to what you paid last year.

Most of the tax plan has a seven-year sunset, setting up another round of budget battles in 2025, unless a permanent tax reform plan can be enacted. There’s growing interest in a constitutional convention to facilitate that reform, but DuBos says many opponents are worried about just who would run the convention.

 

This year a majority of the House voted for a constitutional convention, but came shy of the 70 votes needed to send the measure to a popular vote.

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