In push to finish budget, Senate adds money for Missouri schools
Operating under a
The chamber was expected to continue grappling over other thorny issues in the
Changes OK'd in the
"There's a lot of moving parts in this budget," said Sen.
The crafting of the budget for the fiscal year beginning
Corporate tax revenues have been dropping since last year after the Republican-controlled Legislature approved a change in policy that allows companies to pay less.
At the same time, the growing cost of
There is added pressure on the Legislature this spring after Greitens -- a political newcomer -- asked for a two-week extension to deliver his budget outline.
Greitens said last week that he would consider calling a special session on the budget if lawmakers are unable to resolve their differences by
Among the potential conflicts with the House version was the
"Our backs are kind of up against the wall. I wish we could fully fund everything that is essential to our citizens. But we can't," said Sen.
The budget includes no tax increases and no general wage increases for most state workers, who are the lowest paid in the nation.
In boosting funds for schools,
Opponents worried that the maneuver would trigger a 2014 law that would require the state to fund early childhood programs.
Brown, the budget committee chairman, said the
Supporters said money could come from a cushion Greitens and the House built into the blueprint. "Our goal is to make sure our students get the best possible education," said Sen.
"We need to decide what's most important in our state," added Sen.
For higher education, the House version had called for a 9 percent cut to the four-campus
Other parts of the budget expected to be voted on later include an expansion of the state's managed care health insurance program, which is set to get underway on
Three companies are set to provide managed care for 750,000 low-income Missourians. The state would pay the companies to manage patients' care, as opposed to providing insurance through a fee-for-service model, which reimburses physicians as patients are treated.
Also on tap for funding are efforts to pay for educating voters about a new photo ID law, a summer jobs program benefiting
Sen.
Chappelle-Nadal had sought
"It's a good start," Chappelle-Nadal said.
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