News

Ag and infrastructure updates included in MO state of the state

Governor Mike Parson is proposing additional investments in agriculture and infrastructure in the next fiscal year. In his state of the state address on Wednesday, Parson said broadband infrastructure is needed, along with expanding I-44.

“We’re announcing our recommendation to establish the I-44 improvement fund and this will build on the already $150 million included in the budget.”

More than $5 million of the governor’s proposed budget focuses on flood mitigation. Natural Resources Department Director Dru Buntin tells Brownfield the money would be used to continue a study on the lower Missouri River.

“We’re going to work with specific communities, Brunswick, Jefferson City and Holt County, the projects they want to implement to avoid devastating impacts in the next flood we have.”

Ag Director Chris Chinn says there’s some much-needed funding included to expand meat and poultry processing inspections and to create a new program to regulate foreign ownership of ag land.

State lawmakers will now take a closer look at the proposed budget. Click here for a more detailed look at the budget.