A potentially life-saving capital funding bill that included millions of dollars for hospitals, sheltered workshops, and construction projects across Missouri—including $46 million in the St. Louis region—may get a second chance through a special session called by Gov. Mike Kehoe.

The push for renewed funding comes after a tragic fire on Dec. 17 destroyed the Scenic River Industries sheltered workshop in Salem, displacing 30 workers with developmental disabilities. The fire left the Dent County Disabilities Board scrambling to find solutions amid inadequate insurance coverage and a limited annual budget of $280,000.

Board chairman Shawn Bolerjack explained that while a temporary facility was donated, “its capacity was severely reduced and its future was in serious doubt.” Relief appeared on the horizon when state lawmakers included $2.5 million for the workshop in the capital improvements budget. That hope was dashed when the Missouri House declined to take up the bill for a final vote after Senate approval on May 9.

“We were surprised and disappointed to hear that they killed the bill,” Bolerjack said in an interview with The Independent.

The blocked measure would have supported more than 60 lawmaker-added projects and 20 proposals from Gov. Kehoe, including eight hospital improvements, a new mental health hospital in Kansas City, and a nuclear research reactor at the University of Missouri. The St. Louis region alone stood to gain $46 million, including $15.9 million for a National Guard readiness center and maintenance facility at Jefferson Barracks.

Freshman Rep. John Hewkin (R-Cuba) and Rep. Don Mayhew (R-Crocker) fought to secure funding for two struggling rural hospitals, including $6.8 million for roof and heating system repairs at Salem Memorial District Hospital.

“I’ve been poor,” Hewkin said. “You do the best you can do with what you have... Salem Hospital finally just got to the point where something was going to have to be done with those kinds of systems.”

The Phelps Health System had pledged $6.5 million toward the hospital’s repairs, contingent on state support. “Without the state money,” Mayhew warned, “the affiliation plan will probably be scrapped. They can probably stay open for a while, but it’s a downward spiral.”

Another hospital, Pemiscot Memorial in Hayti, was slated to receive $1.2 million for a new electronic records system, but also lost its funding. “This money would not have simply lined our bank account,” said hospital board chair Jonna Green. “It would have enabled us to bill more efficiently while also reducing the chance of human error.”

The potential loss of these hospitals poses serious risks to communities. “The hospital is a critical access hospital for our community and communities nearby,” said Bolerjack of Salem Memorial. Mayhew noted the danger to tourists and locals alike in the Ozarks: “Without Salem Hospital, you’re probably a two hour ride in an ambulance.”

Gov. Kehoe has indicated that a special session is on the table to consider funding for a separate stadium initiative for the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs. But he has also suggested the capital improvement bill may be reconsidered during the session. “I’ve heard and listened to quite a few senators and representatives from both sides of the aisle... everything is on the table of what that special session might look like,” he said.

For many lawmakers, tying stadium subsidies to infrastructure and hospital funding may be the only viable path forward.

“We’re hoping Gov. Kehoe will call a special session because there are too many important capital improvement projects in this bill to keep it waiting, including the sheltered workshop in Dent County,” Bolerjack said.

Even supporters of the stadium proposal see a revived construction bill as essential. “I’m not saying the Chiefs aren’t important,” said Senate Appropriations Chair Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield). “But unless it’s all included, there’s no point in it and we better have some assurances on the front end that the House isn’t going to do what the House did last time.”

Senate Democratic leaders like Barbara Washington (D-Kansas City) echoed the sentiment: “Those things are more important to me and to my colleagues than the Chiefs.”

The funding stalemate stems in part from House leaders who claimed the capital budget was too large, even as they threw support behind the costly stadium bill. “I don’t think there’s any point in calling a special session on anything, given the way this place is working or not working,” Hough added.

As Missouri faces the threat of further rural hospital closures—12 since 2014 and nine more at immediate risk—communities are growing desperate. “The loss of each rural hospital means miles of extra driving for life-saving emergency care,” said Green. “We can’t keep operating as we are now.”

While the construction bill was killed, other earmarks did make it through the legislature—$2 million for a different sheltered workshop in Mexico, Missouri, and $45 million in direct grants to health centers. But for those who lost out, hope remains pinned on the special session.

“In my heart, I feel that there’s a possibility that we haven’t visited this for the last time,” said Hewkin. “It’s my hope that maybe we’ll be able to get (appropriations) also in that special session.”

If not, Hewkin says he’ll be “standing at the appropriations door very early” next year.

Originally reported by Rudi Keller in ST. Louis Business Journal.