Missouri Lawmakers Approve Disaster Fund

Missouri lawmakers have approved a bill creating a $15 million fund to repair infrastructure in areas where the president has issued a disaster declaration.

The measure is meant chiefly to help Joplin rebuild street curbs and gutters damaged or destroyed in the May 2011 tornado. Lawmakers gave the bill final approval Monday, sending it to Gov. Jay Nixon.

The fund would be created with money diverted from other agencies and government offices, including $10 million from the state insurance department. It would also include $4 million from the Missouri Health and Educational Facilities Authority, which provides financing to medical centers and schools.