Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Discusses Child Advocacy Agenda at Capitol Rally
JEFFERSON CITY–Speaking today at a Child Advocacy Rally, Gov. Matt Blunt again stressed his strong commitment to Internet safety, better health care and a world class education for Missouri children. Blunt thanked the participants in the rally at the State Capitol for their commitment to helping create a brighter future for Missouri’s children.
“We often say that our children are our future of our country, and we say it because it is true,” Blunt said. “The investment we make today in our children by keeping them safe, healthy and giving them access to a world class education is an investment in Missouri’s future. I am pleased to join with Missouri’s child advocates in our shared commitment to ensuring we provide our children with the opportunities they deserve and the tools they need to be successful in life.”
Keeping the Promise to Increase Funding for Education
During the rally, Blunt reaffirmed that education is his highest priority. As promised, Blunt has increased funding for public education each year he has been in office. In his proposed budget the governor is seeking an additional $214 million for Missouri’s students, bringing the total increase in funding to more than half a billion dollars in the last three years.
Blunt is also working to ensure that Missouri’s students have the necessary math and science skills they need to compete for jobs in the global economy. To prepare Missouri’s children for school, Blunt is recommending a $2 million funding increase for the Parents as Teachers program to help parents prepare their children for success in the classroom.
Providing Better Health Care for Missouri Children
Blunt’s new MO HealthNet plan will expand health care coverage for foster children who currently lose coverage after their 18th birthday under the old Medicaid system. Blunt’s plan will cover foster children until they are 21. The governor’s plan will also allow more children to be eligible for health coverage under the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
Caring for Missouri’s Vulnerable Children
Blunt’s budget recommends $3.9 million to focus on diagnosis and improvements to autism treatment. Early diagnosis of autism dramatically improves the development of children who have the disorder.
Protecting Our Children from Internet Predators
Blunt has been a leader in protecting children from sexual predators. Last year, he enacted Missouri’s version of Jessica’s Law, an action that mandates a life sentence with at least 30 years served for predators who commit egregious crimes against young children. The law is one of the toughest in the nation.
In this year’s budget, Blunt has asked the General Assembly to double the funding for the Cyber Crime Grant Program and to add a quarter of a million dollars for new equipment for law enforcement to track down these predators.
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