State Budget Approved and
Claiming Your Unclaimed Property

This week, the General Assembly approved its final version of the state’s $26.1 billion operating budget for Fiscal Year 2016, and a supplemental budget for the rest of this fiscal year. Members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees worked late into the evening Wednesday hashing out the final details. Finishing the budget is always a tough task because of the size of our state government and the many needs that various state departments and agencies present to committee members. I am pleased with the work of my colleagues because we finished the budget two weeks ahead of the constitutional deadline of May 8, 2015.

The Senate also approved several measures, including a bill I sponsored this session relating to the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund. Under current law, the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund can pay eligible victims up to $200 per week for the loss of employment and for injury or death. Senate Bill 141 would raise this amount to $400 per week. In addition, this act provides the Department of Public Safety may negotiate directly with providers of medical care and other services on behalf of the victim with respect to the costs of medical services. The bill now heads to the House for similar consideration.

The fastest and most efficient way to check to see if you have unclaimed property is to visit www.showmemoney.com. If you don’t have access to the Internet, simply write to the state treasurer’s office at Missouri State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 1004, Jefferson City, MO 65102, with a list of owners’ names, addresses, and previous addresses (if known).  You can also call this number (573) 751-0123. They will let you know if the names are associated with any unclaimed property in the custody of the state.  I’m proud of the fact that the state is working hard to make sure that you are reunited with the property that is rightfully yours.