Governor Jay Nixon appears ready to add disaster relief to the call for a special legislative session.
Lawmakers anticipate a discussion of how to fund the hundreds of millions of dollars needed by tornado and flood victims in Missouri.
A special House Committee is focused on how to pay the tab for Missouri's summer of natural disaster. Governor Nixon has set aside $150 million, but state budget people suspect that won't be enough.
“We want local governments and individuals to have confidence that the state has a plan for funding its share of the costs,” State Budget Director Linda Luebbering said.
And lawmakers should expect to discuss the issue during September's special session.
They are reluctant to use part of the state's rainy day fund because law says it must be repaid within three years, even if it means cutting other programs.
“We can't cut our way into reconstruction for Joplin,” said Rep. Jason Holsman, (D) Kansas City. “We've got to start talking about how we increase those revenues.
The governor is still expecting no tax increases and Luebbering said the rainy day fund is still on the table.
But lawmakers want to know if the governor plans to request a dollar figure, or a blank check request.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKRCG