Working Towards A Fiscally
Responsible Budget

This week, the Senate worked through hours of debate and a six-hour filibuster in an effort to pass the Senate’s version of the Fiscal Year 2016 state budget. Tuesday (April 7th), the Senate began debating the 13 House budget bills and continued into early Wednesday morning, finally passing a Senate-approved version of Missouri’s next spending plan shortly after 4 a.m.

There are specific topics of interest I am pleased with in this year’s proposed budget. Among these are: increased funding for K-12 and higher education, which included an $84.2 million increase for the foundation formula, a $27.6 million performance and equity funding increase for higher education institutions, and a $6 million increase for community colleges; $250,000 in new funding for a job training apprenticeship; and $2.5 million for the MO Dairy Industry Revitalization Act Fund Authority.

While there is still much work to be done on the budget, progress is being made. If we continue with the budget process at the rate we have been working, a finalized version of the budget will hopefully be placed on the governor’s desk within the next two weeks. The Legislature’s goal is to pass a balanced budget earlier than in previous years in order to address any vetoes made by the governor while still in regular session. We also have the opportunity to practice our new legislative power granted through Amendment 10, which was passed by voters last November, if we need to override any of the governor’s budgetary withholdings.

Missouri’s spending plan was sent back to the House with the Senate’s recommendations. If not passed in the House, it will go to conference committees, where members from both chambers come together in a combined effort to work out the differences between the two versions. 

Passing a budget is the only annual responsibility of the legislature per our state’s constitution.  During my years in the General Assembly, I have approached the budget process as a steadfast duty to craft a fiscally sound spending plan for Missouri and ensure our hard-earned tax dollars are spent responsibly.  You can trust that many of my fellow members and I will continue this mindset now, and for years to come.