Think tank calls on Parson to cut $1,000 stimulus checks for unemployed Missourians

The Missouri Budget Project has an idea for Gov. Mike Parson: Use leftover federal coronavirus relief dollars on another round of stimulus checks to families across the state, and send less to the fund that pays state unemployment claims.

The left-leaning public policy think tank says putting money directly in the hands of people would better boost the economy.

The latest discussions have the bulk of federal stimulus aid that counties haven’t spent going in the unemployment insurance fund. Missouri Budget Director Dan Haug said this week that total could reach $400 million of the state’s $1.3 billion in remaining CARES Act cash.

Read more from St. Louis Post-Dispatch.