The Missouri House of Representatives is on track to pass its version of the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget proposal on Thursday – one with a price tag of about $50.3 billion.
Let the food fight begin. State lawmakers and the governor have said there’s not as much money in Missouri’s bank account, so budget cuts are expected. Many special interest groups will have their work cut out for them this time around.
During debate this week, House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton of Seneca said the House’s K-12 education budget includes state aid to schools at the current level of $4.2 billion.
“We know we’ve seen a lot of proposed cuts and necessary reductions as we look to continue to ensure a balanced budget into the future, but that didn’t really touch our public education budget. And I think that’s important to note. We’ll continue to fund public school transportation at the same level as we have,” said Deaton.
The House’s budget proposal would eliminate school safety grants. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library literacy program for children under age 5 would be reduced by $3 million. One more vote in support will send the entire House budget proposal to the Senate for changes.
The plan includes House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton’s move to cut $52 million in childcare subsidy provider rate enhancements.
“We have more providers than we’ve ever had. We have more slots available to subsidy kids than we’ve ever had. And we have more interest, seemingly, than we’ve ever had. Even though we’ve added hundreds of millions of dollars, the resources are now running out,” said Deaton.
Rep. Betsy Fogle, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget committee, strongly opposes Deaton’s decision.
“That will impact provider rates. That will impact what we’re able to pay and reimburse for children on the subsidy program, and that will further compound the problem of working families and kids in foster care accessing quality and affordable childcare,” said Fogle.
Gov. Mike Kehoe has lobbied the legislature to provide subsidy payments to childcare providers based upon enrollment instead of attendance. In the budget package, Deaton included wording to ban the state from paying providers based on enrollment.
“And most importantly, I firmly believe that your language in the budget will provide continued access problems for kids in the child care subsidy program and continued a lack of stability for the childcare industry across the state,” said Fogle.
The House’s budget plan would designate $4.2 billion in state aid to schools and $361 million for school bus transportation costs. Another $60 million would help to cover private school tuition for K-12 students.
Despite a group of lawmakers working for years to craft a funding formula for higher education, the budget package would drastically shift the way the state’s public colleges and universities are funded. Deaton, R-Seneca, wants to dole out funding based upon the number of full-time students enrolled. Some schools will get more money and some will get less.
“Guess what the current model, if you want to call it that, right, the core model, what does it consider? It considers nothing! Nothing,” said Deaton.
Rep. Ed Lewis, R-Moberly, said the change picks winners and losers.
“It would result in a 40% reduction to Harris-Stowe funding, a 38% cut to Lincoln University, a whopping 53% reduction to state funding for Truman State University. I don’t believe any of these institutions could survive that type of a funding reduction in one year,” said Lewis.
Fogle said budget committee members did not see Deaton’s funding model until roughly 15 or 20 days ago.
“It has been communicated to us both publicly and privately that some of our two-years and our four-years would probably have to close their doors. The Community College Association, the way we fund our community colleges is different than the way we fund our four years. And they were unanimous in their opposition, even those who are going to get more money under this model. I think they share our concern that this is a slow step towards consolidation,” said Fogle.
The fiscal blueprint includes $84 million for the Access Missouri scholarship program for low-income college students (same as current year) and $6 million for public safety recruitment and retention grants.
Deaton is proposing $5 million to funding the statewide distribution of Narcan and Naloxone, medication used to reverse drug overdoses. Rep. Kimberly-Ann Collins, D-St. Louis, attempted to restore Gov. Kehoe’s budget recommendation of $11.6 million.
“We cannot wait to save lives,” she said. “It is needed, especially for our first responders.”
Deaton opposed the request, saying the budget is a balancing act.
Other highlights of the Missouri House’s version of the plan include:
•$86 million for career and technical education
•$67.5 million to boost pay for experienced teachers doing extra work through the Career Ladder Program – down $1 million from the current budget year
•$62 million for A+ merit-based scholarship program ($2 million more than current year)
•$29 million for Parents as Teachers program
•$8 million for Fast Track scholarship program for adults going to college to pursue a high-demand field
•$3 million to support apprenticeships
•$400,000 to test students by the third grade to screen for dyslexia and similar disorders
The plan would also shift $2 million from an education fund to help pay for a new statewide testing model to replace end-of-year statewide MAP assessments.
Once the House passes its budget proposal, the Missouri Senate will take a look at the plan and make changes. Then a group of House and Senate members will negotiate their differences, with the House and Senate budget chairmen doing most of the horse trading.
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