JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri State Senate today approved funding to run critical functions of Missouri’s state government for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015. The $26.1 billion budget will increase funding for K–12 education, increase provider rates across the board, and add new funding for Medicaid adult dental care, which was vetoed by the governor last year.
Senate Leader Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, thanked Senate Appropriations Chairman Kurt Schaefer for his leadership, and expressed his gratitude to all the Senate members who serve on the committee as well as the hard-working Appropriations staff. Senator Dempsey said their tireless work and dedicated efforts produced a budget that increases funding for education and ensures that public money is spent wisely.
“The most important thing we do as legislators is to pass an on-time and balanced budget that Missouri taxpayers can afford,” said Sen. Dempsey. “This budget was crafted with a surplus to help keep spending under control and continue to provide adequate funding for the state’s vital programs.”
Funding for K–12 education will increase by $84 million, and higher education will see a $12 million increase, both more than the governor recommended. The budget will also provide an additional $2 million for the A+ Schools Program and $5.4 million for equity funding for community colleges that was vetoed by the governor in the 2015 budget.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, said the budget reflects the Legislature’s commitment to the future of our state and the welfare of its citizens.
“This is the most conservative budget we have put together in my time in the Senate,” said Sen. Schaefer. “We structured a budget that puts the Legislature back into control by cutting welfare spending by about four-to-six percent. Since this governor has been in office, every dollar of growth in our budget has basically gone back into funding welfare programs. Those programs have grown exponentially while education has only seen about an eight percent growth.”
The General Assembly also committed $3 million in grants for the Waterways Program to provide planning assistance to port authorities as well as $700,000 for the Amtrak operating expansion. The Legislature also put $28 million more towards the Victim of Crime Act and gave a $20 million increase to SEMA disaster funding.
“Unlike the federal government, we are tasked with the responsibility of actually passing a balanced budget,” said Majority Floor Leader Ron Richard, R-Joplin. “This year is no different. We found ways to fund state operations and take care of the state’s most vulnerable individuals.”
The state Fiscal Year 2016 begins July 1, 2015. Lawmakers had until May 8, 2015, to pass the budget — a deadline set by the Missouri Constitution. It will now move to the governor for his signature. |
