State Budget Adjustments.

State Budget Director Linda Luebbering announced yesterday that two years of declining state revenues will result in $67.1 million in withholdings in Fiscal Year 2003, which ends June 30. The actions were implemented at the direction of Governor Holden in accordance with Article IV, Section 27 of the Missouri Constitution to ensure that the state has a balanced budget.

"While the federal government is allowed to run a deficit, the state of Missouri cannot. One of the governor’s most important constitutional responsibilities is to keep the state budget in balance," Luebbering said.

The withholdings necessitate the elimination of 870 jobs for the remainder of the year, including 96 layoffs and 774 currently vacant jobs that will remain unfilled.

Missouri ties its tax rates to the federal tax system. Cuts in federal taxes result in a decrease in state revenues.

While the average withholding across all agencies is 4.1 percent, the withholding on some departments is much higher - the Office of Administration is 13.7 percent.

The withholdings in the Department of Social Services will not cut foster care services or the staff who work with abused and neglected children. The withholdings in the Department of Health and Senior Services will not cut programs for seniors.

Local schools and the state’s public colleges and universities will not face withholdings assuming the state’s tobacco settlement is securitized and the current shortfall projections remain accurate. Additional withholdings may be necessary later in the fiscal year to these or other programs.

The tobacco securitization proposal received legislative approval last year. The state is currently working with a team of financial advisors to put forth a plan that maximizes revenues in the most fiscally prudent manner. An appropriation is needed to proceed in this manner.

artCentral’s 2003 Calendar.

By Lee Sours, artCentral

The black and white photography of Bill Perry, III will be on display at artCentral from January 10 to February 14. These photos feature figures and portraiture and were taken in Italy, Maine and locally.

Also in January at artCentral’s satellite gallery, Shellie’s downtown cuisine, will be the works of Richard Logsdon. Logsdon lives in Carthage and owns an apple orchard in Vermont. So his Americana oil paintings are inspired by the New England landscape. Shellie’s restaurant is located at 207 W. Third.

The Ozark Pastel Society will be doing a group show in February through March.

Then in April and May we will have the ceramics of Sam Lewis in the Main Gallery and the paintings of Oklahoma artist, Linda Stair, in the Members Gallery.

The annual Membership show is held each year in June. This show features the new works of twenty to thirty artCentral members. Also in June the watercolors of Marilyn York will be displayed upstairs.

July and August bring us the pastels of Tom DeCleene, a Joplin artist.

Two more pastel artists, Mary Ellen Pitts and Julie Mayser will be presenting their work in September and October.

Then in late October through November, members of artforum will be showing their renderings of architectural landmarks within a 150 mile radius.

We’ll end the year with the artwork of Debbie Reed and Penny Wilkinson. These talented artists work in watercolor, oil, acrylic and sculpture. The photography of Tim Reed will be debuting in the Members Gallery. Anyone interested in taking pastel classes should call soon to reserve a spot.

HOURS: T – F 11 - 5

Sunday 12 -5 Closed Mon. and Sat.

1110 E 13th • 358-4404

ozarkartistscolony.com

Videos have almost completely ruined most forms of popular music for me. If they’d just let me listen to a song I’d be just fine.

Now ever’ time I hear some song that I’ve seen a video to, that’s the image I always get in my brain. I usually don’t like the images they put on their video. They don’t anywhere resemble the things I imagine when I hear the song.

I personally think that videos have done more to stifle the imagination of our youth than any other form of influence.

Ta me they don’t put ideas into folks heads, they keep the ideas from naturally occurrin’. It just bugs me I guess.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herbs

Natural Nutrition

by Mari An Willis

Happy New Year! Missed many of you and the big snowy Christmas that most of us dream about because of a trip to sunny south Texas. Yes, that is right, sunny! Makes those commercials on T.V. where they say to get 2 hours in the sunlight each day much easier to do. In my studies, if one cannot get the 2 hours a day, best to add some real vit. D to ones diet. Vit. D aids in the absorption of calcium among other things.

A new year usually brings new determination into ones life. Sometimes we go overboard and make the most impossible resolutions. Fortunately I have the honor of having many "elderly" people in my life who have made the simple resolution of "getting the most out of each day that I can." I agree with that and trust the wisdom of the elders. Most of these people are active and very happy and maintaining well. One particular person was wise enough to tell me (and I am SURE many of you would benefit from his sage advice also) not to be so hard on myself. Sounds easy doesn’t it? But what happens when you break those resolutions instead of taking one day at a time? How do you feel about yourself? Our overall goal is to be the best that we can be and to be it each day. Project the best you can each day that you are privileged to live on this earth.

One simple easy way to keep new habits would be to drink plenty of good clean water daily. If you are among the millions who are in a state of mild to moderate dehydration on most days, you will notice a difference in a relatively small amount of time.