© 2024 KRCU Public Radio
90.9 Cape Girardeau | 88.9-HD Ste. Genevieve | 88.7 Poplar Bluff
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
The latest news from every corner of the state, including policy emerging from Missouri's capitol.

$47 Million More To Be Cut From Missouri Budget As The State Prepares A Path For Re-Opening

Missouri State Capitol
jimmywayne
/
Flickr
Missouri State Capitol
Missouri State Capitol
Credit jimmywayne / Flickr
/
Flickr
Missouri State Capitol

Missouri Governor Mike Parson is hopeful the state will be able to start moving away from stay at home orders soon.

In his Monday press briefing, Parson said they’re seeing signs in data that Missouri is “slowing the course.” 

"We are cautiously optimistic that we are beginning to stabilize, and we are preparing to reopen Missouri for business," said Parson.

A team is in place to determine how best to do that, and Parson said that decisions will be data-driven.

An additional $47 million will need to be cut from the state budget, according to Parson.  Earlier this month, he announced $180 million in budget cuts.

"These are not easy decisions, and they are not made lightly," said Parson, "but this is the right thing to do to ensure our budget is balanced and we are financially prepared to deal with the impacts of COVID-19 moving forward."

Funding for nine state agencies, the Office of the Attorney General and the General Assembly will be restricted, according to Parson. 

Those nine agencies are the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, Office of Administration, Department of Revenue, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Mental Health, Department of Health and Senior Services, Department of Social Services and the Department of Economic Development.

Parson said Monday that he signed a bill to fund healthcare services.  And he said they’ll continue to advocate for federal funding to help reduce the economic impact of COVID-19 in Missouri.

Copyright 2020 KSMU

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. She likes to tell stories that make a difference. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and leisurely kayaking.