The Associated Press
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Jay Nixon’s newest job-creation plan has been quickly rejected by House budget writers.
The Democratic governor had sought to use $200 million from the federal economic stimulus package to create a pair of business incentive funds run by the Department of Economic Development.
House Budget Chairman Allen Icet allotted just half that amount when he introduced the budget legislation last week. On Monday, the House Budget Committee scrapped the rest of Nixon’s plan and redirected the money to specific projects in committee members’ districts.
The House panel then approved a four-bill package authorizing the expenditure of several billion dollars from the federal stimulus package.
Nixon spokesman Scott Holste expressed frustration Monday evening and suggested that lawmakers weren’t using the stimulus money wisely.
“At a time when we have a 25-year high in unemployment, the governor believes investing in job creation should take precedent over pet projects like a $15 million parking garage in Jefferson City,” Holste said.
The proposed state parking garage has been praised by several lawmakers as an excellent use of the one-time federal money that would put state workers closer to their job sites while saving the state from paying for leased parking spots and shuttle bus services.
The parking garage already had been included in the legislation pending before the House Budget Committee before members whacked out Nixon’s proposed economic development fund.
As envisioned by Nixon’s administration, the $100 million incentive fund could have been awarded — in chunks of up to $10 million — as forgivable loans or cash advances to companies pledging to create at least 100 jobs.
The Missouri plan would have been similar to the Texas Enterprise Fund, which was created several years ago to provide grants to businesses locating or expanding in that state. Some Texas lawmakers have raised concerns that there is a lack accountability over the fund.
Some Missouri lawmakers also have expressed concern that Nixon’s proposal would create a new pool of money — apart from existing tax credit programs — over which his administration would have considerable discretion is disbursing.
Some Democratic members of the House Budget Committee spoke in favor of Nixon’s proposal. But many Democrats then joined with Republicans in supporting amendments that diverted the money for other uses.
“I think it’s fairly clear to say all the members of this committee don’t consider this a priority, given all the other things they want to do,” Icet, R-Wildwood, said.
In place of Nixon’s incentive fund, committee members voted to fund several college construction initiatives. Those included:
— $20 million for maintenance and repair at the four-campus University of Missouri system.
— $16 million for building expansions at Jefferson College.
— $8 million for a new building at the Richwood Valley Campus of Ozark Technical Community College in Christian County.
— $7 million for a Bootheel Advanced Technology Center in Dexter that would be run partly through Linn State Technical College.
— $1.6 million for a new Moberly Area Community College building in Hannibal.
House committee members also voted to allot nearly $7.5 million for a 28-bed expansion of the Northwest Missouri Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center in St. Joseph. They approved $5 million in aid for mass transit in Kansas City, a move that some lawmakers said was fair since the legislation already includes about $20 million in aid for St. Louis mass transit.
The Kansas City area also got a couple of smaller projects funded by money originally budgeted for Nixon’s job fund — $1 million for a Youth and Family Life Center and $400,000 in construction grants for homeless youth campuses that a supporter said could benefit Clay County.
State News
April 20, 2009
Missouri: House panel scraps plan for incentive fund
- State News
-
-
2.6 magnitude earthquake recorded in Oklahoma
The U.S. Geological Survey has recorded a 2.6 magnitude earthquake near Wellston in central Oklahoma.
No injuries or damage is reported. -
Audit: $108,000 taken from Missouri Veterans Commission
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A former employee of the state auditor’s office embezzled nearly $108,000 while working as an accountant for the Missouri Veterans Commission, the state auditor alleged Monday.
Stacy Griffin-Lowery was fired by the Veterans Commission in March 2008 and pleaded guilty three months later to a misdemeanor theft charge. She repaid the state $17,665, the auditor’s office said.
But Missouri Auditor Susan Montee on Monday accused Griffin-Lowery of swiping an additional $90,192 by getting reimbursed for cash advances and purchases made on her personal credit card. -
Race in Kansas’ 2nd District could heat up for GOP incumbent
TOPEKA, Kan. — A conservative Kansas legislator said Monday he will announce in a few weeks whether he will challenge freshman U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins in the Republican primary.
State Sen. Dennis Pyle’s actions in recent months suggest the Hiawatha farmer, who’s served in the Legislature since 2001, is running against Jenkins in the Aug. 2 primary. He set up a campaign organization in November and has a Web site featuring a brief video of him on his farm, asking viewers for support. -
Oklahoma tea party leaders, lawmakers envision militia
OKLAHOMA CITY — Frustrated by recent political setbacks, tea party leaders and some conservative members of the Oklahoma Legislature say they would like to create a new volunteer militia to help defend against what they believe are improper federal infringements on state sovereignty.
Tea party movement leaders say they’ve discussed the idea with several supportive lawmakers and hope to get legislation next year to recognize a new volunteer force - Missouri: Senate panel cuts $500 million from proposed budget JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Senate committee declared Thursday that it has sliced more than $500 million from Missouri’s proposed budget for next year — meeting a target set by Gov. Jay Nixon to bring it in balance.
- Kansas: Wichita-area casino in doubt after governor’s decision TOPEKA, Kan. — A proposed casino south of Wichita was in doubt Thursday after Gov. Mark Parkinson refused to grant its developers a regulatory reprieve. Partners in the $225 million Chisholm Creek project wanted to delay a state board’s decision on their plans.
- Oklahoma: Groups oppose education spending initiative OKLAHOMA CITY — A coalition of business and labor groups said Thursday it will work to defeat a ballot initiative to dramatically increase spending on public education that coalition members said would devastate the budgets of many other state services and possibly force tax increases.
- Missouri: Gov. Nixon affirms support for tuition freeze COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has no plans to sit idly while lawmakers consider whether to preserve a tuition freeze deal he assembled before the state’s dire financial status was fully known.
- Kansas: Agency uses YouTube to illustrate road woes TOPEKA, Kan. — It’s one thing to hear about potholes and state budgets. It’s another to see how the two are connected. That’s part of the thinking behind a new video presentation on YouTube this week from the Kansas Department of Transportation.
- Oklahoma: Pathologist says girl’s throat might have been cut OKLAHOMA CITY — A 7-year-old girl who was found dead in Oklahoma near the body of her suspected kidnapper likely died after her throat was cut, an independent pathologist said Wednesday, the same day the child’s funeral attracted hundreds of mourners.
- More State News Headlines
-
2.6 magnitude earthquake recorded in Oklahoma
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
