Senate Weighs In On Budget

This week, the Senate passed its version of Missouri’s Fiscal Year 2024 operating budget. Spread out over more than a dozen separate appropriations bills, the Senate’s revision of the House budget totals nearly $50 billion and addresses every department of state government. As expected, the House of Representatives promptly rejected the Senate’s changes and asked for the differences to be sorted out by conference committees. With a constitutional deadline looming, passing the state budget will be the top priority for the General Assembly as we head into the second-to-last week of the 2024 legislative session.

The Senate’s FY ’24 appropriations take advantage of strong general revenue proceeds and a historic budget surplus from federal programs. The budget includes increased funding for road construction, spending for new state facilities and higher wages for teachers, care givers and state troopers. Despite record spending, the proposed budget still leaves approximately $2.5 billion in reserves for future use.

The budget approved by the Senate would spend about $4 billion more than the House anticipated, with most of the difference going to road construction. Where the House fulfilled the governor’s request for $859 million to widen three sections of Interstate 70, the Senate advanced a more ambitious plan. The Senate budget calls for $2.8 billion to widen I-70 to three lanes in both directions from Wentzville to Blue Springs. The Senate plan would split funding for the work equally between general revenue – tapping into the state’s record budget surplus – and bonds, which would be repaid over 15 years.  

Colleges and universities would see their funding grow by 7% next year. The budget also renews funding for a grant program to increase starting pay for K-12 teachers, with the Senate eliminating a local match requirement. For the second year in a row, the state’s share of school transportation costs is fully funded. Reimbursement rates for childcare providers will increase, and the budget includes an additional $56 million for pre-kindergarten programs.

Also this week, the Senate passed a substitute version of House Joint Resolution 43. This measure would increase the threshold for amending the state constitution to 57% of voters, instead of the simple majority currently required. The constitution could still be amended by a simple majority if a ballot question is approved in five of the Missouri’s eight congressional districts. Like all constitutional changes, HJR 43 would have to be approved by voters before taking effect.

As always, it is an honor to serve the 6th Senatorial District. If my office can be service to you, please feel free to contact us 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.