Don't Let the Governor Sell Off State Land Unchecked & Defund Critical Programs

As a Missouri resident deeply invested in accountable governance and public welfare, I urge lawmakers to reject SB720, SB729, and SB722 (all by Coleman)—legislative proposals that threaten transparency, environmental safety, and essential public services. These bills collectively undermine Missourians’ trust in government and prioritize short-term fiscal maneuvers over long-term stewardship. SB720 represents unchecked privatization of public assets. It grants the Governor unilateral authority to sell abandoned state properties without public input or competitive bidding. This risks sweetheart deals for private interests while stripping communities of opportunities to repurpose land for affordable housing, green spaces, or infrastructure. The bill’s lack of environmental safeguards could leave taxpayers liable for contaminated sites, such as abandoned factories, while enabling irreversible harm to historic or culturally significant properties. SB729 dismantles critical oversight bodies, including the Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Rules and the Missouri Quality Home Care Council, consolidating their duties into overburdened state departments. Eliminating specialized boards silences community voices and risks mismanagement. For example, dissolving the Board for Certification of Interpreters threatens access to qualified services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, undermining equity. This centralization of power disregards the value of targeted expertise and public participation in governance. SB722 defunds critical programs. Its sweeping transfer of 14 funds into the General Revenue Fund jeopardizes Missouri’s future. Most alarmingly, it raids the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund, which addresses environmental hazards like toxic leaks, sinkholes, and landslides in former mining regions. Defunding this program ignores the urgent need to protect communities from ecological disasters. Similarly, dissolving the Coordinating Board for Early Childhood and the Minority Environmental Literacy Advisory Committee abandons vulnerable populations, stripping away advocacy for children’s welfare and environmental justice. All three bills lack transparency. SB720 bypasses public hearings; SB729 eliminates community-driven boards; SB722 diverts funds without assessing long-term consequences. These actions prioritize expediency over democratic accountability. These bills reflect a pattern of governance that sidelines public interest. SB720 risks corruption, SB729 dismantles accountability, and SB722 imperils environmental and social safeguards. I implore lawmakers to reject these measures and instead advance policies that prioritize transparency, equity, and responsible stewardship of Missouri’s resources. Our state’s future depends on it.