When Gov. Jay Nixon proposed an increase of $6 million for the Missouri Division of Tourism's FY 14 budget, the industry was hopeful the increase would make it through the House and Senate. Though the House approved the increase, the hopes were dashed when the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Kurt Schaefer, slashed the entire $6 million before sending to the full Senate for finalization where the cut remained in place.

Because of the difference in House and Senate versions of the budget, the issue went to a Joint Conference Committee that settled on a $1 million increase for the division, bringing the total budget to about $14 million. According to a funding mechanism established by the legislature, the budget should be about $30 million.

On a related note, HB 316 was approved. The bill extends the sunset on the funding formula to 2020.