February 13, 2009

Gov. Nixon releases funds for construction projects at community health clinics in Kansas City, St. Louis

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Jay Nixon today visited two federally qualified health centers in Kansas City and St. Louis to announce that he will immediately release state funding from the Fiscal Year 2009 capital improvements budget to support expansions and renovations of their facilities.

"Across our state, federally qualified health centers play a vital role in providing the quality, affordable health care Missourians need to be productive workers," Gov. Nixon said.  "To turn this economy around, I am committed to ensuring that Missouri has a healthy, productive workforce that is ready to compete for 21st-century jobs. New and expanded facilities at the Samuel U. Rodgers and Grace Hill clinics will provide better, faster care for Missouri families, and I'm pleased that we can make these financial resources available immediately."

Today, Gov. Nixon released funds from the Fiscal Year 2009 capital improvements budget to support two specific projects:

• At the Samuel U. Rodgers Community Health Center in Kansas City, Gov. Nixon released $10,590,500 to support the construction of a new, state-of-the-art health center than will facilitate up to 25,000 more visits a year.
• At the Grace Hill Murphy-O'Fallon Neighborhood Health Center in St. Louis, Gov. Nixon released $2,170,691 to support the construction of a facility to replace one of its existing clinics in northern St. Louis.

Over the past several months, Gov. Nixon and bipartisan legislative leaders have been carefully examining the state's budget in light of the national economic crisis. In January, Gov. Nixon and the legislative leaders announced a revised Consensus Revenue Estimate for FY 2009, projecting a budget shortfall of $261 million for the year.

Because of this projected shortfall, Gov. Nixon placed a temporary hold on all pending capital projects and ordered a review of these projects to identify opportunities to cut spending and keep the state's budget in balance. As this review continues, Gov. Nixon is considering factors such as positive impact on Missourians, status of construction, amount already spent and amount required for completion in determining which projects would receive their appropriated funds.

"Fiscal responsibility is a value all Missourians share," Gov. Nixon said. "During these difficult economic times, I am strongly committed to ensuring that all capital improvement funds go to projects that will have the greatest positive impact on Missouri families. Expanding these health centers will help ensure that Missourians are healthy and ready to work and that our families have access to the care they need."