JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri's local governments and school districts are closer to getting federal funds for storm shelters and disaster repairs.
The Missouri House Tuesday gave first-round approval to a budget bill for this fiscal year to release federal money for local projects in declared disaster areas.
Already-completed local projects totaling about $30 million are awaiting federal funds.
The bill, which needs final approval in the House before going to the Senate, approves the transfer of that money.
The bill also authorizes $8.5 million in general revenue for emergencies-- $5.1 million to match federal grants and $3.4 million is for future emergencies such as tornadoes, floods or ice storms.
Missouri has already used much of its previously approved emergency funding, partly because of the response in Ferguson.