JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri senators have passed a bill to use $200 million in bonds for repairs to state buildings and some new construction.
Senators voted 26-5 Thursday to lift restrictions on the bonds that had been intended to pay for a new mental health facility at Fulton State Hospital.
The Legislature last year authorized the $200 million in bonding to pay for the mental health facility, but Missouri later found a different way to finance it.
Republican Sen. Mike Parson's bill would allow the state to use that bonding authority to pay for other building repairs and $75 million in new construction.
The measure also included language intended to block the governor from extending existing bonds without approval from lawmakers.
The bill now advances to the House.