Greitens eases proposed cuts to home care, school busing

In this Feb. 6, 2017 photo, Gov. Eric Greitens speaks before signing Missouri's new right-to-work law.
In this Feb. 6, 2017 photo, Gov. Eric Greitens speaks before signing Missouri's new right-to-work law.

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens is largely reversing his proposed cut to in-home care services for low-income disabled residents.

Greitiens said Thursday he wants to use a $52 million settlement payment with tobacco companies to undo $41 million of a proposed $52 million reduction in Medicaid funding for in-home care services next fiscal year.

He is proposing to direct the additional $11 million from the settlement payment to lessen the $36 million cut he originally recommended in state aid for school busing.

Greitiens said in a statement that the proposal is "short-term relief." He promised to do an audit of the in-home care program in the coming months.

The governor's budget recommendations currently are being considered by a House committee.

 

EARLIER COVERAGE

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens announced today that he's amending his state budget proposal to restore a total of $52 million in funding for home and community-based services and public school transportation. 

Greitens reported that the restored funds will come from a legal settlement reached last week and additional federal funding. He wasn't more specific.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Greitens noted: "This money makes our budget situation a bit better. It helps; it doesn't make us whole.  When you consider that politicians were overspending by $700 million, this $52 million is helpful, but it is not a long-term solution to the challenges that we face."

"Given the settlement money, I am issuing a Governor's amendment to the budget to restore $41 million in funding to home and community-based services," he posted. "This amendment also restores $11 million dollars for K-12 school bus transportation.

"This settlement is good news. But it's important to remember that they are a lucky break. Sound budgets are not built on lucky breaks. Our budget problems cannot be solved by stopgaps and short-term funding windfalls."