By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri House has reversed itself again and passed a bill that would spend $336 million in federal stimulus dollars on numerous state projects.
Three dozen Republicans had joined most Democrats last week in voting the bill down, saying it contained too much pork.
But Budget Chairman Allen Icet (R, Wildwood) persuaded the House GOP caucus that the bill contained lots of worthwhile projects.
"Actually I took them through the bill, so they (would) understand it is just not stimulus, it was veterans' homes, it was National Guard centers, it was all these other things in the bill...so just understand what the entirety of the bill is before you vote either in favor or against," Icet said.
GOP leaders also credit Democratic House Member Chris Kelley of Columbia with persuading many of his own party members to support the bill.
Among the provisions, St. Louis' Metro system would get $12 million, and $31 million would fund a cancer research center in Columbia.
It now goes to the Missouri Senate.