Legislation that settles the funding tug-of-war between the state’s veterans and children is going to be signed next week by Governor Jay Nixon.
The legislature passed a bill that would take casino boarding fee money currently going to early childhood and redirect it to the , and would support early childhood with tobacco settlement money. Veterans Commission Executive Director Larry Kay says Governor Nixon will sign that bill in a series of appearances Wednesday through Friday at the state’s veterans homes.
“He is, I think, pretty excited about getting out in front of each one of those veterans at the homes and telling them about the bill and what’s going on with it.”
The Governor’s schedule is:
Wednesday, May 30
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Mexico Veterans Home – 1:45 p.m.
Thursday, May 31
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St. Louis Veterans Home – 9:45 a.m.
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Cape Girardeau Veterans Home – 12:15 p.m.
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St. James Veterans Home – 2:30 p.m.
Friday, June 1
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Mt. Vernon Veterans Home – 9:45 a.m.
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Warrensburg Veterans Home – 12:15 p.m.
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Cameron Veterans Home – 2:15 p.m.
Representative David Day (R-Dixon) sponsored that bill in the House. He’s glad to see it reaching the finish line.
“I expected the Governor to sign it. I didn’t think they’d find any problems with it. This is a huge step for the veterans in Missouri to get them dedicated funding and to end the battle between those folks and the early childhood folks for the same funding source.”
The bill takes effect upon receiving the Governor’s signature.
Kay says the veterans commission should learn from the gaming commission in mid-June what the final distribution of money under the new legislation will be.