Legislative News

This week, the Missouri Senate approved the state’s $27.8 billion spending plan for Fiscal Year 2018, which begins July 1. Passing an on-time and balanced budget is the single greatest responsibility my colleagues and I undertake each year.

The biggest highlight of this year’s budget is that state lawmakers have approved full funding of Missouri’s Foundation Formula for the first time since it was passed by the Legislature in 2005. The formula determines the amount of basic funding each school district receives. It was created as a means of ensuring every school district in the state receives the necessary funding to provide an adequate education for their students — regardless of whether they live in a small community or large, urban or rural area. Unfortunately, a variety of circumstances have prevented the Legislature from being able to fully fund the formula, resulting in numerous problems over the years.

The Senate’s decision to fully fund the formula came down to a floor vote on an amendment, which was ultimately approved by an almost equal number of Democratic and Republican senators. The strong bipartisan support is proof of how important fully funding K-12 public school education is and how much desire there was to bring this historic moment to fruition. With a fully funded Foundation Formula, Missouri school districts are set to receive nearly $3.4 billion in basic aid for FY 2018.

Other education budget highlights include a $2 million increase in general revenue funding for virtual education, as well as a $12 million increase for early childhood special education. The Access MO Scholarship program will receive $76.5 million, while Bright Flight will see an increase of $4 million.

In addition, the FY 2018 budget includes: $62 million for State Road Fund Projects for 2017-2021; $5.3 million for the Missouri Job Development Program; $2 million each for the Nursing Education Incentive Program and for re-entry and recidivism programs; and $10 million for Opioid Crisis Grand funding. The budget also restores a 1.5 percent provider rate cut from the Senior Services Protection Fund.

Now that the Senate has approved the budget bills, the House and Senate will form conference committees to reconcile any differences between the two chambers’ budgets. Once a final budget has been agreed upon, it will be sent to the governor for his consideration. Lawmakers have until 6 p.m., Friday, May 5, to send the FY 2018 budget to the governor.

In local news, the Legislature has passed a resolution approving funding for the construction of a new Conservatory of Music and Dance on the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus. Including furnishings and equipment, the projected cost is $96 million. Of that, the state has agreed to pay 50 percent, or $48 million, on or before July 1, 2020, by revenue bonds, which will be secured by a pledge of future appropriations. The remaining costs will be funded by contributions, donations, grants and 30 other funds provided by the Curators of the University of Missouri.

In committee news, I presented Senate Concurrent Resolution 17 to the Senate Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee on Tuesday morning. This resolution urges a commitment to equal rights for people with cognitive disabilities, so they may more easily access and utilize technology and information. An estimated 28 million people in the United States live with a cognitive disability such as an intellectual disability; severe, persistent mental illness; brain injury; stroke or neurodegenerative disorder like Alzheimer's disease.

Access to comprehensible information and usable communication technologies is necessary for all people in our society — particularly for people with cognitive disabilities — to promote self-determination and to fully experience life. Furthermore, these individuals are entitled to inclusion in our democratic society under federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Bill of Rights Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Act and more, as well as under state and local laws. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people with cognitive disabilities have limited or no access to comprehensible information and usable communication technologies.

Enhanced public and private funding is urgently required to allow people with cognitive disabilities to utilize technology and access information as a natural consequence of their rights to inclusion in our society. By ensuring access to technology and information for the 28 million men, women and children living with cognitive disabilities, we will also create new markets and employment opportunities.

Finally, on Thursday, I was pleased to introduce to the Senate Richard Tush, Fred Hartwell and Pat Ertz, all of Raytown.

It continues to be an honor serving the men, women and children of Missouri’s 9th Senate District. As we move forward through session, please know I value your input, and I invite you to visit my Capitol office if you are ever in Jefferson City.

For a complete list of all Sen. Curls' sponsored legislation and committee assignments, please click here or visit her official Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/mem09/.