$27.26 billion budget approved

Rep. Allen Andrews

After long hours of discussion and compromise, the Missouri House and Senate came to a final agreement on the state operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year that begins in July of this year.

In its final form, the budget checks in at $27.26 billion.

Because the House had based its original budget on a more conservative revenue estimate than was used by the governor and the Senate, the House version also contained a surplus revenue fund to capture any additional revenues that would come in above the estimate.

The compromise version of the budget does away with the surplus revenue fund and instead is based on a slightly higher revenue estimate than was originally used by the House.

The end result is a fiscally responsible spending plan based on realistic revenue projections that makes wise use of taxpayer dollars.

Highlights of the Fiscal Year 2017 state operating budget as it now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law:

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

• $5 million increase for K-12 transportation

• $537,000 in additional funding for the Parents as Teachers Program to be dedicated to struggling school districts

• $37.2 million increase in performance funding for Missouri colleges and universities.

The budget also includes a $3.8 million cut to the MU system’s administration.

• $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

• $2.5 million for 2015’s Dairy Revitalization Act

• $4.55 million increase for business startups through the Missouri Technology Corporation

• $1 million to open five new trade offices to help promote international trade and Missouri agriculture

• $20 million to revive the state cost-share program to fund transportation projects

• Increase Medicaid provider rates by three percent

• $4.3 million for the Alternatives to Abortion program

• Two percent pay increase for state employees (except legislators)

• $500,000 for a pilot project to utilize current technology to allow for better monitoring of offenders on probation and parole

• $600,00 for the Missouri State Highway Patrol to hire and train 10 additional troopers

$4.1 million to improve technology for local sheriff’s departments