House sends budget to Senate

Rep. Allen Andrews

The members of the Missouri House of Representatives spent many hours this week working on the Fiscal Year 2017 state operating budget.

The 13 appropriations bills that make up the state spending plan are now on their way to the Senate for consideration.

During discussion on the House floor, the approximately $27.3 billion spending plan saw House members offer and adopt several amendments to move funding from one program to another.

Changes to the budget on the floor must either be revenue neutral or revenue positive.

In effect, if a member wants to increase funding in one area of the budget, he or she must first reduce corresponding funds in another area. With this, the size of the budget cannot grow on the House floor.

Highlights of the Fiscal Year 2017 state operating budget as it moves to the Senate:

• $70.3 million increase for the Foundation Formula, which funds K-12 public schools

• $9.4 million increase in performance funding for Missouri colleges and universities

• $5 million increase for K-12 transportation

• $4 million increase for the Access Missouri need-based scholarship program.

• $2.5 million increase for the A+ Scholarship program

• $500,000 increase for the Bright Flight scholarship program

• $1.3 million for 2015’s Dairy Revitalization Act

• $2 million increase for river ports

• $1.25 million increase for business startups through the Missouri Technology Corporation

• $30 million to revive the state cost-share program to fund transportation projects

• Increase Medicaid provider rates by three percent

• $500,000 increase for the Alternatives to Abortion program

The budget is very complex and sometimes perplexing.

As the budget moves out of the House and to the Senate, it is my hope that both chambers will agree on the changes and promptly get the budget to the governor’s desk.