Missouri Senate Okays Budget With Benefits for Blind Intact
By: KORL10 News
Updated: April 25, 2012
(Jefferson City, MO)--With only about three weeks remaining in this legislative session, the Missouri Senate early Wednesday approved a $24 billion dollar budget.
The Senate version still has to be reconciled with a House version before the May 11 deadline for getting a final budget to Gov. Jay Nixon. The deadline is mandated by the state constitution.
The Associated Press reports the Senate version restores funding for the government-funded health care program for the blind, as well as a pay raise for state workers.
Senators voted 18-16 to restore funding for the blind health care benefits. About 2,500 Missourians receive coverage because their incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid.
The state fiscal budget year begins July 1.
The Senate version still has to be reconciled with a House version before the May 11 deadline for getting a final budget to Gov. Jay Nixon. The deadline is mandated by the state constitution.
The Associated Press reports the Senate version restores funding for the government-funded health care program for the blind, as well as a pay raise for state workers.
Senators voted 18-16 to restore funding for the blind health care benefits. About 2,500 Missourians receive coverage because their incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid.
The state fiscal budget year begins July 1.
