Love note from Jeff City

Greetings, My Fellow Missourians

On Saturday Marla and I attended an Eagle Scout Honor Ceremony for Trevor Henderson. Eagle Scout is the highest advancement rank in Boy Scouting. Trevor has earned an impressive forty-one merit badges during his six years in the scouting program. I had the privilege to present a Resolution to him during the Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony in Warsaw, MO. I enjoyed meeting his family and honoring his achievements.

On Sunday afternoon, Marla and I attended the 50th Wedding Anniversary of former State Representative Larry Wilson and his wife Linda. Larry served the 119th District for eight years in the House of Representatives. Linda and my wife Marla worked together for several years as Registered Nurses for the St. Clair County Health Department. It was a wonderful party and nice to catch up with friends.

Floor Action

General Assembly Gives Final Approval to Balanced State Operating Budget (HBs 1-13)

A balanced state budget that contains record funding for elementary and secondary education is now on its way to the governor’s desk. This week the Missouri House and Senate gave final approval to the appropriations bills that make up the $29.7 billion state spending plan that provides funding to the state’s departments and programs.

For the third consecutive year, the budget approved by the General Assembly fully funds the school foundation formula with a total of $3.94 billion in funding. The total represents an increase of more than $61 million and brings the amount of funding for K-12 public schools to its highest level in state history. The education budget also includes a $5 million increase for a total of $108 million in funding for transportation expenses for local school districts. Additionally, the budget includes a $3 million increase for the Parents as Teachers program. In total, funding for pre-K-12 education is increased by $116 million in the spending plan approved by the legislature.

In the budget process, the General Assembly agreed to provide an additional $1 million in core funding for most of the state’s four-year colleges and universities. During the discussion on higher education funding, House members also fought to preserve language that prevents colleges and universities from offering in-state tuition to students with unlawful immigration status. The language was placed in the budget in 2015 in an effort to ensure taxpayer dollars are used only for students who are legal residents. While the Senate initially moved to remove the language, the House fought to keep it, and the two legislative bodies ultimately agreed to the House position. As a result, these students will continue to pay international tuition rates. The language in the budget will also continue to prohibit institutions of higher learning from providing these students with state-sponsored scholarships.

The budget plan also makes it a priority to fund repairs for the state’s deteriorating transportation infrastructure. It includes critical funding that is part of a proposal to fix 250 bridges statewide. The budget contains $50 million in funding for the repairs, which would be used in conjunction with a $301 million bonding plan that still requires House approval and also requires the state to receive a sizeable federal infrastructure grant. In the budget, House and Senate members also agreed to allocate $50 million in funding for a cost-sharing program that will allow the state transportation department to provide a 50/50 match to counties and municipalities to improve local roads and bridges.