February 27, 2004 - Submitted by Dale Amick - MTC Legislative Consultant

The Missouri House Appropriations for Economic Development has approved a 15-million-dollar budget for the Division of Tourism. 

That amount is the same as the current year’s appropriation and the same figure as recommended by Governor Bob Holden. 

The committee defeated an attempt by Rep. Ron Richard of Joplin to divert $500,000 from the tourism budget and earmark the money for the State Arts Council, whose funding has been cut in the proposed budget. 

Rep. Lanie Black, the committee chairman, strongly urged the committee to defeat the move by  Rep. Richard and keep tourism funding at the level recommended by the governor. Coming to the aid of the tourism industry and working against the amendment to divert the funding were Reps. Larry Taylor and Gina Walsh. A big thank you should go to Reps. Black, Taylor and Walsh for their strong support for the tourism industry. 

The recommended Division of Tourism budget now goes to the House Budget Committee for further review before going to the full House for final approval.

CLICK HERE to download the Tourism Legislative Status Report

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