Education Commissioner Kent King has taken his proposal for $4.8-Billion in funding for the 2003 Fiscal Year to a committee of the Missouri House. King has told the House Education Committee that the additional money in the proposal is necessary to maintain the current levels of learning in various districts throughout the state. King isn’t optimistic the new funding proposals will be approved by the Legislature, but he says he felt the need to make his best case to lawmakers and to push for added funds he believes are necessary.