Missouri – The new state budget for Missouri Started July 1, 2024, and in preparation for the new budget, Governor Parson vetoed multiple bills on Friday, June 28, 2024, to slim down the budget by about $1 billion. The new state budget is about $50.5 billion.
Parson decided to cut back saying there is overspending in the government. Some of the noteworthy vetos include around $500 million to renovate the Missouri Capital, and $150 million for the widening of Interstate 44 to six lanes in Springfield, Joplin, and Rolla. This budget action leaves about $577 million in the widening project.
Other vetoed items include:
•$12.5 million to buy land in McDonald County and create a state park
•$10 million to build additional passing lanes on Highway 65 between Buffalo and Warsaw
•$10 million for the Close the Gap program to help K-12 public school students get back on track academically
•$8 million for a parking garage in Jefferson City
•$7 million to improve a St. Louis Lambert airport terminal
•$6 million for U.S. – Mexico border security
•$5 million for the building of a behavioral health center at North Kansas City Hospital
•$5 million for the statewide operations of the Agricultural Extension Service
•$5 million for the construction of a hospital in Dunklin County
•$3.4 million for water infrastructure improvements in Pike County
•$3.2 million for a rate increase for developmental disabilities Day Habilitation care providers
•$3.1 million to launch a transit planning system and services for seniors, veterans, and the disabled in Platte County, Clay County, and Jefferson City
•$2.5 million for gun detection software in schools
•$2.5 million for a study to improve the Highway 36 corridor to Interstate 72
•$2.2 million for repairs and expansion of Route N in Jasper County
•$2 million to restore a building into a gospel music hall of fame, art museum and research center in St. Louis City
•$1.3 million for Missouri State University-West Plains to expand the Nursing and Allied Health Program
•$1 million for the Lincoln University Hemp Institute Program
•$1 million grant to a veteran-only, non-profit, homeless shelter in Columbia
•$1 million for Family Resource Centers in Jefferson City, St. Louis County, and Independence
•$750,000 for a six-month study of a school safety software program
•$500,000 for technology assistance for National Guard suicide prevention
•$500,000 for a courthouse and jail in Dallas County
•$500,000 for expansion of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Program
•$300,000 for a cybercrime task force in Jasper County
•$250,000 for a minority police officer recruitment and retention program in St. Louis
•$250,000 for homeless student impact centers
•$100,000 for a charity providing free organic vegetables to seniors, veterans, youth, and low-income families
•$100,000 for the implementation of a registration process for doulas to help child-bearing women
•$100,000 for a literacy enrichment program
•$50,000 for an urban agriculture education program
•$50,000 for a youth agricultural entrepreneurship program
Parson had a recurring message of Senate Bill 727 being the reason for many of his vetoes. They are trying to budget the extra spending that will take place around mid-year.
