On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Missouri state Rep. Doug Richey speaks with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg about the American Rescue Plan Act and how Missouri will spend the billions of federal dollars it will receive. Richey is the chair of the Subcommittee on Federal Stimulus Spending, as well as chair of the Joint Committee on Education.
Richey, a Republican who represents the 38th District, was first elected in 2018. The district covers part of Clay County, located northeast of Kansas City.
Here’s what Richey talked about on the show:
- The American Rescue Plan Act, but more specifically how Missouri should spend the over $2 billion in federal money it will receive. Richey believes because this is one-time funding, it should be spent on one-time items as opposed to creating new and ongoing programs.
- Overhauling and upgrading Missouri’s information technology infrastructure.
- How to spend the nearly $1 billion Missouri will receive because the state expanded Medicaid. Richey says those talks are in the early stages.
- His role as the chair of the Joint Education Committee and some of the topics he expects the committee to address in the upcoming session, such as critical race theory and school boards changing how they hear public comment or conduct meetings.
Richey has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Missouri, along with three master’s degrees and a doctorate from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a pastor, a law enforcement chaplain and an adjunct professor.
Follow Jason Rosenbaum on Twitter: @jrosenbaum
Follow Sarah Kellogg on Twitter: @sarahkkellogg
Follow Rep. Doug Richey on Twitter: @DougRicheyMO
