The Missouri House of Representatives has passed a $48 billion state operating budget proposal.
Rep. Bishop Davidson, R-Republic, defended the package designating $4 billion to K-12 public schools – a $200 million increase over the current budget year.
“It’s only in government talk that giving the largest increase, single increase ever, of $200 million to the foundation formula, that can be articulated as a cut,” said Davidson, the vice chair of the House Budget Committee.
Rep. Betsy Fogle, D-Springfield, argued that the budget is still $300 million short of fully funding the required minimum.
“Two things can be true at the same time, we can be making significant investments in K 12, and also we cannot be fully funding the foundation formula,” said Fogle.
The budget plan assigns $375 million for public school busing and a $16.8 million core funding increase to public colleges and universities. Another $28 million funds the upkeep of things like parking lots, buildings, and heating and cooling systems at higher education institutions.
Other points of contention involve a reduction in Gov. Mike Kehoe’s request for state employee pay raises and removal of his plan to change the way childcare costs for low-income families are made to daycares, saving $107 million.
House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, R-Seneca, said the package contains $120 million to maintain Missouri’s rural roads.
“These are the low volume minor routes across the state. Oftentimes, those lettered routes in communities all across Missouri that unfortunately, through many decades, have seen a lot of decay and disrepair,” said Deaton.
Deaton said the proposal also includes $25 million for security, transportation, and other needs in support of Kansas City hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
“As I understand it, it’s a rather big deal, and there’s a lot of people that are going to be coming,” said Deaton. “And there’s money in this budget to provide for the public safety that’s going to be needed for the increase in tourism and traffic. Of course, we want to see Missouri put its best foot forward.”
Other highlights of the plan include:
- $150 million to extend Interstate 57 through Poplar Bluff to Arkansas
- $70 million for highway projects
- $50 million to expand a tax credit program to send K-12 students to private school
- $33.4 million for minimum teacher pay requirements
- $12.5 million for black vulture control efforts
- $10 million to a new grant program for local police departments training and equipment
- $10 million for river ports infrastructure projects
- $5 million for a new volunteer fire department grant program
- $2.5 million to study the potential merging of Highway 36 to I-72
- $1.6 million for senior citizen meals
- $1 million for nursing incentive grants
- $750,000 for Missouri foster children placement with extended family members
- $250,000 for newborn safe haven incubators
- 6.8% pay increase for Highway Patrol troopers
- 6.8% pay increase for state park rangers
The Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal goes to the Senate for more adding and subtracting.
Copyright © 2025 · Missourinet