Mo. lawmakers back funding plan for veteran homes

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri Senate has passed legislation that guarantees a dedicated funding stream for veterans’ nursing homes.

The bill approved Wednesday would earmark casino fees to the state-run facilities that house more than 1,300 military veterans. Early childhood programs that had been funded by the casino fees would instead get money from Missouri’s share of a nationwide tobacco settlement. The bill also bans the implementation of a quality rating system for child care centers.

The veterans’ funding measure still needs a final vote from the House before it can go to Gov. Jay Nixon.

Passage of the bill could help clear a logjam that has been holding up Missouri’s $24 billion budget plan. Lawmakers have until Friday to send the budget to Nixon.

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Veterans bill is HB1731

Online:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov

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