Missouri Lawmakers Agree to Fully Fund Public School Foundation Formula for FY26
JEFFERSON CITY – A pivotal agreement has emerged from a conference committee comprising members of the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate, which aims to fully fund the public school foundation formula for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. This decision aligns with the Senate’s budget proposal, which boosts public school education funding by approximately $300 million compared to the House’s version.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) had initially requested nearly $500 million in increases based on the foundation formula for FY26. However, Governor Mike Kehoe proposed a budget cut that limited this request to $200 million, closely matching the House recommendation of $193 million.
With the conference committee’s agreement, both legislative chambers are set to vote on a budget that includes the full funding amount of just under $500 million. The Missouri General Assembly faces a constitutional mandate to finalize a balanced budget by 6 p.m. on Friday.
It’s crucial to note Governor Kehoe’s line-item veto power over budget items, which prevents him from trimming individual allocations. Consequently, if lawmakers present him with the budget containing the entire appropriation for the public school foundation fund, he must choose to accept or reject it in its entirety.
This development marks a significant step toward enhancing educational funding across Missouri, ensuring that schools receive the essential support they need.
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