Kehoe leaves $30M for Springfield convention center in restricted funds

Gov. Mike Kehoe has kept $30 million for a Springfield convention center in restricted funding.

Restricted spending refers to money that will only be spent if Kehoe specifically orders it or if legislators vote to override him, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. 

Reached by email this morning, city spokesperson Cora Scott said, "We are still evaluating options."

In April, voters rejected a tax to fund a downtown convention and events center. It was the second time in five months that voters rejected a tax for the proposed convention center. 

The $30 million in restricted funding was also a possibility earlier this year with voter funding approval. The city has not laid out next steps for a convention center following the latest ballot measure’s failure.

Other restrictions marked by Kehoe include $250,000 for a road spur in Seymour; $4 million for Branson Highway 76 West improvements; $2 million for the second phase of the Greene County Regional Law Enforcement Center; $1 million for Citizens Memorial Hospital; $3 million for well drilling and a water tower in Hollister; $1 million for the Springfield Discovery Center; $3.5 million for the Springfield Elevate Center; $2.2 million for the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds; $100,000 for a Dallas County maintenance center; $200,000 for a community center in Buffalo; and $2 million for sewer upgrades and maintenance in Branson West.

Restricted funds total $441.3 million.

Restricted and vetoed items are part of the budgetary process, and Kehoe signed a $50.7 billion budget yesterday.

Budget cuts
Kehoe additionally vetoed items with a combined price tag of $52.7 million.

Local items that were vetoed include $100,000 for Dallas County jail upgrades, $200,000 for Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southwest Missouri and $500,000 for Good Dads.

The state's fiscal 2027 operating budget is approximately $49.8 billion after considering the vetoes. The budget has $15.7 billion in general revenue.

“State government doesn’t have a revenue problem – we have a spending problem, and continuing to spend faster than we grow our economy is not a sustainable path forward,” Kehoe said in a news release. “Our work doesn’t end with balancing this year’s budget. By maintaining fiscal discipline and continuing to grow Missouri’s economy, we are building the foundation for an even more strong and resilient Missouri.”