Missouri Budget Heads to House and Senate Following Key Approvals
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) – The Missouri state budget is set for consideration by the House and Senate after the Conference Committee on Budget wrapped up its sessions Thursday evening. In a pivotal move ahead of the deadline, committee members approved nearly $500 million for the Missouri School Funding Formula, along with an additional $100 million earmarked for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts fund.
The Missouri School Funding Formula is designed to guarantee equitable financial resources across districts, including charter schools. The MOScholars program, funded through tax credits for donations to nonprofit educational organizations, supports both public and charter institutions.
The budget allocates $50 million directly for the scholarship fund, with the remaining $50 million targeted for supplemental spending. This decision sparked debate, as some committee members voiced concerns about public funding being directed toward private or charter schools. Senator Maggie Nurrenbern (D-Kansas City) expressed her disapproval, calling it "fiscally irresponsible" to allocate funds that could discriminate against specific student populations. In contrast, Representative Marlene Terry (D-St. Louis) emphasized the importance of providing educational opportunities for all children, regardless of the institution type.
Co-chair of the Conference Committee, Senator Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield), expressed optimism regarding swift action in the upcoming floor votes, noting that the committee’s extensive preparation would likely minimize debate. He remarked, “Most of the time, this thing gets in a pretty good situation by the end of it,” indicating a consensus on key priorities.
As Missouri moves one step closer to finalizing its budget, the outcomes will directly impact educational funding across the state, prompting continued discussions about equity and access in education.
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