On its final day prior to the start of the annual spring recess, the State Senate has approved an amendment to a supplemental spending bill for the remaining months of the 2009 fiscal year, which ends June 30th.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Gary Nodler (R-Joplin) says the need for a change to the supplemental budget bill comes about as a result of passage of SB 313 , which creates two separate funds to accept and distribute federal stimulus money. Money from each fund can only be spent if it is appropriated by the Legislature. The amendment to HB 14 – the supplemental budget bill – allows the State Transportation Department to continue work on projects that have already begun once Governor Jay Nixon signes SB 313 into law.
Senator Charlie Shields (R-St. Joseph), the Senate President Pro Tem, says there was a need for this amendment.
“Had we not taken this action,” says Shields. “Then upon the Governor’s signature of Senate Bill 313 there would not have been appropriating authority and they would have had to stop the projects.”
HB 14, with the change, now goes back to the Missouri House where it is expected to be approved and sent to the Governor.
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