Missouri to Get $398M From $26B Federal Package (MO)

August 11, 2010

Missouri will receive $209.3 million in health-care funding and $189 million for education over the next year as part of the $26 billion in aid House lawmakers approved Tuesday.

The funding is expected to save 3,300 teaching jobs in Missouri.

Illinois is slated to receive nearly $1 billion for Medicaid and education, a spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn said, including including up to $550 million for Illinois’ Medicaid programs and more than $400 million in education funding.

Many states, includi ng Missouri and Illinois, would have been forced to make additional budget cuts without Tuesday’s funding extension.

“This extension is crucial in keeping our teachers in the classroom and funding Medicaid services for our most vulnerable citizens,” Quinn said in a statement.

Democratic leaders called the rare one-day summer session to pass the measure, which they said would save the jobs of nearly 320,000 teachers, first responders and other workers nationwide.

President Barack Obama has said he backs the bill.

Gov. Jay Nixon said he would work in the coming weeks and months with legislative and education leaders to discuss how to disburse the money.

“I am appreciative that Congress and the White House recognize that the states are facing ongoing fiscal challenges to provide essential services,” Nixon said in a statement. “While not a solution to all those challenges, the federal funding we will receive through this bill will allow us to continue moving forward with the economic recovery already under way."