September 22, 2014 — Even after months of debate, Missouri lawmakers still can’t settle the debate over how to fund the costs of a government-funded health plan that would provide dental care for almost 300,000 low-income adults in the state.
Funding is being blocked because of a budget dispute over tax breaks for certain industries and lower-than-anticipated state revenues between Legislature Republicans and Democratic Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, according to an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
In the last few weeks, Nixon has vetoed tax-break legislation for dry cleaners, power companies, and data storage centers, but $17.8 million in state general revenue for dental services hasn’t been released.