Senator Wayne Wallingford

Jefferson City — State Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau is working to restore funding for the Tailor Institute, an autism institute located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The Tailor Institute was previously funded through the Missouri Department of Economic Development Workforce Development budget; however a budgetary oversight in 2017 resulted in a loss of all state funding for the Tailor Institute. Senator Wallingford has been working with Rep. Donna Lichtenneger of the 146^th district and Rep. Kathy Swan of the 147^th district to restore funding. Senator Wallingford is committed to ensuring the Tailor Institute continues to serve more than 150 families each year. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Wallingford intends to do everything in his power to ensure the Tailor Institute is fully funded and the line item moves back to the Department of Economic Development’s Workforce Development budget.

“I’ve been working with the governor’s office and feel confident this oversight will be resolved during the 2018 legislative session,” stated Sen. Wallingford. “The Tailor Institute provides life-changing services to dozens of individuals each year and deserves our full support.”

The Tailor Institute had received state funding for 10 years through the Missouri Department of Economic Development. With the governor’s support, Sen. Wallingford will continue working to restore the Tailor Institute’s funding for this year and secure funding for the future.

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