One of the areas of the budget not caught up in the budget debate this year is the money dedicated to promoting tourism. The Legislature approved and the Governor signed a budget of $15-Million for the Department. Lieutenant Governor Joe Maxwell, who serves on the Tourism Commission, says the state has targeted its campaign at people in neighboring states – those within about 350 miles of Missouri’s borders – and at Missourians to stay in the state for their vacation this summer. Maxwell says every dollar spent on tourism returns $60 to the state – money the state desparately needs in these tight budget times.
