Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Praises Budget’s Investments in Workers, Jobs and Economic Growth
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt today highlighted next year’s budget and its valuable investments in supporting Missouri workers and strengthening Missouri’s jobs and economic growth. The Missouri General Assembly passed the budget bill today that includes several of the governor’s recommendations and will build on the more than 93,000 jobs created since the governor took office.
“Missourians have built on responsible and proactive legislative changes and economic development programs to move Missouri’s economy in a positive new direction and create jobs for Missourians,” Blunt said. “Missourians can be proud their elected officials again passed important funding measures that will continue to make key investments in our state's workers, veterans and economy.”
House Bill 7 provides, among other things, the governor’s recommendations for:
- $13.5 million for the Life Sciences Trust fund for research capacity with a focus on animal health and nutrition and plant science, marking the first time since its inception the fund has received state dollars
- $3.5 million increase for the Missouri Job Development Fund, which provides job training primarily through Missouri’s community colleges
- $2.9 million increase to promote Missouri through the state’s tourism industry
- $2.7 million increase for MODESA (Missouri Downtown Economic Stimulus Act) to coordinate the redevelopment of downtown areas and create jobs by providing essential public infrastructure
- $1.4 million for the War on Terror Unemployment Program which provides enhanced unemployment benefits to veterans of the War on Terror who have been dismissed or demoted as a result of being deployed
- $4.5 million increase for the Arts Council
- $750,000 increase for the Humanities Council
After all budget bills are passed and submitted to the governor, the governor’s office will conduct a full review of the state’s budget to ensure it remains balanced and accountable to taxpayers before taking any action on the bills.