By SUMMER BALLENTINE
Associated Press
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Missouri House on Monday endorsed a bonding plan for roughly $160 million in repairs for public colleges and universities and about $140 million for other state-owned buildings, sending the bills to the Senate with only days left before the deadline to pass spending bills.
The bills are needed for the state to continue payments on projects already underway, along with the more than $300 million in new repairs or maintenance. About $40 million is slated to repair the deteriorating Capitol, which has water leaks that have caused stalactites to grow in the building's substructure.
Most of the projects listed in the bills are the same as those in recommendations approved by the Senate earlier this session, with the exception of a $15 million cut in general revenue for state parks.
The money would have paid for renovations and other maintenance already planned or underway, such as $1.2 million worth of construction at Roaring River State Park to renovate a Civilian Conservation Corps lodge and a new campground planned for Montauk State Park.
Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, sponsored the Senate project wish list and has said he plans to push to keep money for state parks.
Still, the Friday deadline leaves little time for lawmakers in the House and Senate to negotiate a compromise if the Senate amends the bills and House members refuse to endorse those changes.
Budget bills are HBs 17-19.
Online:
House: http://www.house.mo.gov
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