Passing Our State’s Budget
From the way I see things, it has been a tough couple of months for the residents of our state. Between social distancing, isolating at home and a largely closed economy, I believe each of us have done our part to help flatten the curve. However, I am hopeful that things are starting to look up. With businesses beginning to reopen their doors, it seems at least one segment of our society is starting to get back to normal. Last month, the General Assembly passed a supplemental budget that will help guide federal relief funds to important services that are designed to help Missourians in need. This week, the General Assembly took another step in preparing for the future by completing its work on the state operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
While there are still uncertainties about what the long-term impacts of COVID-19 will be on the economy, I believe the General Assembly passed a budget that does its best to responsibly fund the priorities of our state. For one, the state’s education Foundation Formula was fully funded yet again this year. This important part of the budget funds our state’s public elementary and secondary schools. While our schools may be closed due to the coronavirus, education is still happening across the state. When students hopefully return to the classroom this fall, we need to make sure they are ready to hit the ground running. Providing full funding to the Foundation Formula helps ensure our schools have the resources they need to do just that.
Another important line item in this year’s budget is $20 million in federal funding to assist smaller meat processing facilities in Missouri that have been affected by COVID-19. As chair of the Senate’s Agriculture Committee, I understand that a key link in our food chain is dependent on these businesses and their workers staying safe and healthy. I hope this funding will help offset some of the challenges they face during this difficult time and minimize any possible disruptions in our food supply.
There is no question, times are tough right now, but I’m optimistic that in the coming weeks, more businesses will reopen, people will be able to return to work safely and our economy will start moving again. In the meantime, if there is anything my office can do to help you, please do hesitate to reach out.
Please feel free to contact my office at (573) 751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.