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Missouri Veterans Commission warns of funding shortfalls; requests sustained support for homes, cemeteries and services
Summary
Missouri Veterans Commission leaders told the House veterans committee that revenue shortfalls and rising personnel and maintenance costs have left state veterans homes and service programs dependent on transfers and at risk without sustained funding.
Paul Kirchoff, executive director of the Missouri Veterans Commission, and finance director Tressa Sherlock briefed the House Committee on Veterans and Armed Forces on the commission’s operations, staffing and budget pressures.
Kirchoff told the committee the commission runs seven long-term care homes (Cameron, Cape Girardeau, Mexico, Mount Vernon, Saint James, Saint Louis and Warrensburg), five state veterans cemeteries and the statewide veteran service officer program that helps veterans apply for earned federal benefits. "All of our burial within our cemeteries is completely free," Kirchoff said, summarizing burial and perpetual-care policies for veterans and their spouses.
Budget picture: Tressa Sherlock, the commission’s budget and finance director, described two large funds that carry the commission’s obligations: the Veterans Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund and the Veterans Homes Fund. Sherlock said the commission required a $41 million solvency transfer in FY25 (from a mix of general revenue, adult‑use and medical cannabis proceeds) to continue operations of the seven homes. She showed multi-year charts indicating that dedicated revenues have not kept pace with long-term obligations and that the commission has relied on transfers to maintain solvency.
Kirchoff said the commission’s top priorities include maintaining veterans homes, operating cemeteries and sustaining the veteran service officer program. He noted high turnover among VSOs (reported turnover since 2020 of ~21–22% and 40.82% in 2024 alone) and said one veteran service officer currently covers roughly 3,000 veterans, a ratio he called concerning.
On cannabis and gaming revenues: Kirchoff and Sherlock explained that only a small fraction of adult-use cannabis tax revenue flows to the commission. Of the roughly $166 million in recreational cannabis tax receipts cited, they said 5¢ of each dollar goes to the Missouri Veterans Commission after other statutory distributions. Because adult‑use and medical cannabis revenues have fallen from earlier levels, the commission projects lower incoming dedicated funds than previously expected.
Operational strain: Kirchoff described infrastructure and deferred maintenance needs across aging homes and cemetery equipment, noting recent equipment upgrades to replace 25‑year-old cemetery machinery. He described bargains the commission has made to retain staff and highlighted FY25 salary adjustments (a 3.2% cost-of-living increase and longevity increases) that have helped recruitment, but he said payroll remains the largest ongoing expense.
Requests and next steps: Commissioners and staff urged policymakers to consider sustained, predictable funding for the commission to address deferred maintenance, staffing and program continuity. Chairman Griffith and several committee members emphasized the commission’s role and requested continued dialogue on possible budgetary solutions. No committee vote or formal appropriation occurred during the session.
