Gov. Nixon releases $43 million dollars in funding
Friday, Gov. Nixon released more than $43 million for various state programs.
Missouri education, workforce training programs and more are getting additional funding.
The governor said he was able to release the funds because Missouri received higher revenue from adding more than 44,000 jobs last year. And the state got about 7 percent more in tax collections compared to 2014.
“The economy is picking up steam,” Gov. Nixon said. “So we’re always hopeful that we will continue to see positive economic activity in the continuing months.”
Out of the $43 million released Friday, nearly $10.5 will go toward state educational programs and facilities. The Missouri Preschool Program is one of those. It is a program that gives grants to districts and community providers starting or expanding a preschool program. Stacey Preis with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said the money was unexpected.
“We weren’t necessarily expecting these funds, but we are very pleasantly surprised at that,” Preis said. “And we’re thrilled it’s going to be able to help a lot of kids.”
Preis said it is too late in the school year to use the money to add more preschool programs or students, but the program may give more money to classrooms that currently have the grant and help going into next year.
“We think it’s critical that all children have access to high quality early learning opportunities. That’s one of the department’s top 10 by 20 goals ensuring that all children enter school ready to learn.”
A $5 million allowance for maintenance and repair for state facilities is also included in the released funds. The Governor’s Office said $4.2 million of that will fund the replacement of the roof of the Harry S. Truman building in Jefferson City.
Other areas receiving money including improving infrastructure of state ports, training Missouri workers, supporting high-tech start-ups, state autism projects, local libraries and more.
The Jefferson City Post Office renovation project and statewide firefighter training will also be funded from the money released Friday.
