We have come one step closer to getting Missouri’s next budget delivered to the governor, after the Missouri Senate spent about eight hours debating all of the budget bills.

Crafting a budget is a long process. Negotiators from the Missouri Senate, Missouri House and the governor’s office meet in December to discuss what’s known as the Consensus Revenue Estimate (CRE). From there, both the Senate Appropriations and the House Budget committees begin to hold public hearings on the upcoming fiscal year budget.

By March, the full House starts to debate the budget bills. There are 13 bills altogether that make up the entire state operating budget. After House members pass their version, it comes to the Senate. Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee then work on a version of the state budget that will go before the full Senate. After senators pass their edition, it may become necessary to form a conference committee, if the House does not agree to the Senate’s changes. A conference committee consists of both Senate and House members. These conference committees will take a week or two to make their changes, and the revised budget bills go through the House and Senate a second time for final approval before moving on to the governor.

By law, the Legislature must have a final budget on the governor’s desk no later than 6 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2013. The 2014 fiscal year will start on Monday, July 1, 2013.

Unlike the past four years, this year the state is not facing a major budget shortfall. Part of having a balanced budget means Missouri is able to keep closer tabs on spending than most other states. This ability has proven to be beneficial in recent years. It also means we can add some money to Missouri schools. We had to lock in funding at 2010 levels, which has translated to funding falling below the required amount called for by the school foundation funding formula. I am also hopeful the governor will not reduce the transportation budget for rural schools, as he has the past two years.

The remaining weeks of the legislative session look like they will remain busy with legislation quickly moving through both chambers. Most of the high priority bills were passed during the first half of the session, and we have been debating other legislation for the past month. The last days of session mean we will be discussing a multitude of bills that cover a wide range of topics between now and May 17, the last day of the session.

I would also like to remind you to take caution, as the weather in our area has changed drastically over a short period of time. I know the shift in our state from drought conditions to flood conditions has been devastating for much of my district. Though I hope the hazardous weather conditions will subside soon, if natural disasters should strike our area again, please remember to stay in contact with my office. My office staff and I want to stay up to date with the situation in the district, and will do whatever we can to help with volunteer efforts and other disaster assistance.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Thank you.