JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri House of Representatives passed a proposed budget of a record breaking $46.5 billion last week and is now waiting on approval by the Senate. Despite being $1.2 billion less than Governor Mike Parson’s original proposal, many of the Governor’s priorities were incorporated into the House budget.
Among the Governor’s budget priorities this year was a teacher pay increase, additional funding for higher education institutions and K-12, increased funding for veterans’ homes, and directing more money towards transportation infrastructure.
Governor Parson’s Budget Priorities in the House Budget Proposal:
- Raising the minimum teachers pay to $38,000 from $25,000 per year, $37.4 million allocated for teacher’s pay
- Increase in funding to higher education, $51 million allocated to four-year institutions and community colleges as new funding
- $6 million increase towards A+ Scholarship Program and fully funded the Access Missouri Scholarship Program
- Millions of dollars towards transportation infrastructure to help construct, maintain, and repair roads and bridges
- Increase in funding for Veterans Health and Care Fund
“The Missouri Republican Party is proud to have conservative leadership in Governor Parson and House Budget Chairman Cody Smith.” Missouri GOP Chairman Nick Myers said. “This budget will help Missouri invest in our teachers and the education of our future leaders. We look forward to the Senate carrying these budget items.”