House Approves School Funding Formula Change

Despite concerns about perception, the Missouri House has overwhelmingly approved a change in the public school funding formula that would greatly ease pressure on next year’s budget. The bill would recalculate the formula’s underlying tax base, reducing the amount needed to fully fund it next year from $220-Million to $175-Million. Though the bill would make up the difference the followingyear, Representative Peter Myers of Sikeston questions the motivation behind it. The sponsor acknowledges budget pressure plays a role, but insists his bill would also take out the spikes in the formula that occur afterreassessment, and would level-out education appropriations year-to-year.