Which Ozarks area projects made (and didn't make) the cut in the final state budget

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed a budget totaling $50.5 billion for state operations Friday. But he also struck a little more than $1 billion worth of items from the spending plan approved by state legislators, including several items that would have funded projects in Springfield. Here's where money is, and isn't, going locally from those totals.

What did Parson veto for the Ozarks?

• Parson cut in half the allocated funding for a building for Jordan Valley's PACE, or Program for All-Inclusive Cafe for the Elderly, a healthcare facility in Springfield, vetoing $2 million. In the appropriation letter, the governor notes that Jordan Valley already received $5 million in last year's budget, the remainder of which has been reappropriated in this year's budget. The program connects participants with resources to help seniors age at home safely.
• $5 million for renovations, development and expansion of youth sports facilities in Springfield were also slashed. In his appropriation letter, Parson noted that this is "a local responsibility with minimal statewide impact." City's chief spokesperson Cora Scott said this was not a project for which the city had requested funds.
• A portion of funding to expand the Nursing and Allied Health Program at Missouri State University-West Plains was vetoed. From the total $1.85 million allocated, Parson vetoed $1.3 million, leaving the expansion with $509,500. Parson noted that in 2023 the university received grant funds to help with the expansion of the nursing program.
• Parson cut $150 million in general revenue funds going toward I-44 improvements.
• A cultural center focusing on the history of the Ozarks in West Plains did not receive anticipated $5 million as Parson vetoed it, noting that the General Assembly grossly over-appropriated Budget Stabilization Funds.
• Little Heroes Park in Taney County did not receive $50,000 for maintenance and improvements with Parson pointing out that the project is lacking a specific scope and details.

What local projects were funded?

• Despite the $150 million veto, the budget still includes more than $570 million for I-44 improvements and widening in Springfield, Rolla and Joplin. As it was presented in the budge in its entirety, the project would widen the entire portion of the interstate through Springfield to six lanes and rebuild pavement, replace bridges and improve the interchange at Kansas Expressway. The funding includes almost $364 million in financed money.
• The Springfield Art Museum expansion and renovation received approval for $10 million in state funds. The project, which has grown in scope and price since inception, is moving forward in a phased approach that totals $26 million and uses the city's pandemic relief funds to modernize the museum and bring much-needed upgrades to the infrastructure.
• LeCompte Roadway Improvements Phase II received $3.4 million. The project aims to widen and make LeCompte Road better suited for the high demand of industrial business traffic the roadway sees near Springfield Underground.
• Hammons Field received $3.5 million for additional improvements.
• Family Connects Program, a program that offers in-home visits for families with newborns run by the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, received $1 million.
• The newly created Alliance for Healthcare Education received $15 million from the state's Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Revenue Replacement Fund.
• Ozarks Technical Community College received $46 million for its new Center for Workforce and Student Success.
• Springfield Veterans Cemetery received about $9.3 million for the construction of a new columbarium wall, pre-placed crypts and infrastructure upgrades.
• $104 million has been allocated for an addition to the aircraft maintenance facility and the design and construction of a readiness center and maintenance hangar at the Missouri National Guard Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot (AVCRAD) base at Springfield-Branson National Airport.

Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.