Passing a Budget that Reflects Our Priorities
Members of the General Assembly have only one constitutional obligation over the course of each legislative session. The Missouri Constitution specifically requires lawmakers to pass a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year during their time in the Capital City. Our state’s constitution doesn’t require us to pass a certain amount of bills or hold a specific number of committee hearings; it only asks lawmakers to pass a balanced budget. I take this obligation seriously because I believe an individual’s budget says a lot about their priorities. Often times, our spending habits reflect our values, and I believe the same can be said about the state’s budget. Despite the effects of the coronavirus on our state’s economy, I believe the budget passed by my colleagues in the Missouri Senate represents our state’s priorities.
Throughout this week’s column, I would like to highlight some of the important provisions included in the Senate’s version of the state’s operating budget for Fiscal Year 2021. First off, I am proud to report that our budget fully funds the state’s K-12 education foundation formula. Outside of paying our state’s debts, I believe the education of our children is our state’s No. 1 priority. Our children are our future. By once again fully funding the state’s foundation formula, I believe we are making a statement that Missouri values education and the important role it plays in preparing our children to help move our state forward. In addition to fully funding the education foundation formula, our budget includes additional resources for virtual education and school safety programs.
The budget passed by the Senate also allocates $20 million in federal funding to assist livestock producers and food processing facilities affected by the coronavirus crisis. This funding comes from the federal government as part of the relief packages passed by Congress. I am concerned about possible disruptions to our nation’s food supply following the closure of several large protein processing facilities throughout our country. From my perspective, agriculture and food production are important elements to our state’s infrastructure, and I believe it is imperative that we provide the resources necessary to keep these facilities open and Missouri’s food supply secure. I am hopeful that this funding will allow our state’s food producers and processors to enhance worker safety and increase processing capacity during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Senate’s budget also allocated an additional $30 million in federal funding to help our state’s small businesses. As unemployment statistics in Missouri continue to rise, I believe it is crucial that we do everything we can to help our state’s small businesses during this pandemic. These businesses are the backbone of our state’s economy, and I am hopeful that this federal funding will give them a fighting chance to survive the coronavirus crisis.
In addition to these appropriations, the Senate’s budget includes important funding for our state’s colleges and universities; roads and bridges through the Missouri Department of Transportation; and critical care for disabled and low-income Missourians. As I prepare this report, lawmakers from the House of Representatives and the Senate are meeting to discuss the differences in the two budgets with the hope of coming to a compromise on the state’s Fiscal Year 2021 operating budget. As I said earlier, I believe our state’s budget represents the priorities of our state. The Senate’s budget fully funds K-12 classrooms, continues to provide health care to those that need it and funds essential state programs and services that are vital to our state. I am proud of the work accomplished by my colleagues in the Missouri Senate, and I believe this budget ensures that our government remains funded, open and able to serve the people of the Show-Me State.
It is an honor to serve you in the Missouri Senate. Please do not hesitate to contact my office at (573) 751-3678 or by email at dave.schatz@senate.mo.gov if you have any questions or concerns — we are honored to serve you.