Marina
Missouri’s veterans homes, institutions built on the promise of serving those who served, are once again under threat due to a lack of consistent funding.
Despite increasing demand and growing revenues from marijuana sales, the state’s seven veterans homes struggle each year to maintain services without a reliable budget line from the state.
The Backbone of Veteran Care in Missouri
The Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) operates seven veterans homes across the state, caring for 848 veterans.
These homes are vital to elderly and disabled veterans who require skilled nursing, physical therapy, grooming services, and daily medical care.
“These are veterans that we made a promise to,” said Rep. Dave Griffith, a former Green Beret and current Missouri lawmaker. “And we’re failing them.”
Unstable Funding Sources
Unlike other essential state services, Missouri veterans homes do not have a permanent budget allocation. Instead, they rely primarily on two fluctuating revenue sources:
- Marijuana tax revenues
- Casino admission fees
This reliance leaves the MVC vulnerable to economic shifts and market behavior, making it difficult to plan long-term or address maintenance and programmatic needs.
Revenue Breakdown
Here’s how Missouri’s veteran care system was funded in the most recent fiscal year:
| Revenue Source | Amount in 2023 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Marijuana Tax Revenue | $34 million | Increasing |
| Casino Admissions Fees | $11 million | Decreased from $30M in 2013 |
| General Revenue from Budget | $0 (No fixed line) | Not guaranteed annually |
Marijuana Revenue: Growing but Barely Enough
Since the legalization of recreational marijuana, sales have tripled compared to original forecasts. Erin Schrimpf, spokesperson for the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, stated that the regulated marijuana market is thriving.
Despite this growth, the $34 million contributed by marijuana taxes this year only covers basic operations, leaving no room for expansion or additional veteran programs.
“That’s just not the case,” said MVC Director Ret. Col. Paul Kirchhoff, countering assumptions that surplus funds could enhance veteran services.
Casino Revenue Continues to Decline
Casino admissions fees once made up a significant part of veteran home funding. However, that source has dwindled from $30 million in 2013 to just $11 million in 2023.
This drop is due to decreasing foot traffic, even as casino revenues increase from other streams. Unfortunately, admission fees remain flat, exacerbating the funding gap.
The Strain of Uncertainty
Without reliable funding, MVC is forced to defer critical maintenance and weigh the possibility of closing homes each fiscal year. Col. Kirchhoff emphasized the challenge:
“A lot of businesses have a 5-year or 10-year plan. I can’t do that because I don’t know what kind of funding I’m going to get year to year.”
This lack of financial predictability restricts the MVC’s ability to grow or modernize its services, despite a growing and aging veteran population—some of whom are over 100 years old, such as a current resident who served in the Battle of the Bulge.
A Legislative Push for Permanent Solutions
Rep. Dave Griffith is spearheading a campaign to establish a $50 million general revenue line item in Missouri’s budget for veterans homes. He recognizes the urgency and hopes his colleagues will carry on the mission once his term ends:
“It’s a battle that I’m not afraid to fight,” Griffith said. “And I will continue that battle until I have to walk out of this building.”
Missouri’s veterans homes are at a crossroads. Despite increasing marijuana revenue and the enduring sacrifices of veterans, these essential facilities remain on unstable financial ground year after year.
Without a dedicated line item in the state budget, the MVC will continue to operate in crisis mode—risking the very care our veterans have earned.