Governor Rejects Litigants’ School Suit Claims

Governor Matt Blunt rejects the claims of those school districts pressing their lawsuit against the state. Blunt says the Legislature crafted a solid school funding formula during the legislative session, one that will pour $800-Million into the formula over a seven year period. And Blunt says he and the Legislature demonstrated their commitment to public schools by providing a $158-Million increase in school funding in the fiscal year that begins July 1. Blunt says those continuing with the lawsuit against the state are simply trying to force a massive tax increase on Missouri. He says the new formula makes a needed shift away from the taxing capacity of local school districts to the actual cost of educating the state’s children.