Lawmakers work to approve budget before Friday deadline
Lawmakers in both the state House and Senate are facing their budget deadline of Friday at 6 p.m.
On Wednesday, both chambers will discuss the $27 billion budget. On Monday, the House and Senate budget committee agreed to several final recommendations to the budget including state worker pay raises and education funding.
The pay raise would mean state workers that earn less than $70,000 a year would see a $700 yearly increase starting in January. Workers that earn more than $70,000 would see a one percent hike.
House Budget Chairman Scott Fitzpatrick, R- Shell Knob, told ABC 17 News the pay raises would make Missouri a more competitive state.
“As a business person I’ve always made it a goal of mine to pay a competitive wage. I feel like the less turnover you have, the better you are able to serve your taxpayers,” he said.
House and Senate budget leaders reached an agreement that would mean K-12 public schools receive nearly $99 million in a funding increase next fiscal year. Restoring the $99 million would mean lawmakers meet core K-12 funding goals outlined in state law.
House and Senate lawmakers voted to keep funding for public colleges and universities stable next fiscal year, despite Gov. Eric Greitens’ call for a $68-million cut compared to what public colleges and universities are expected to receive this year. In exchange, the state’s colleges and universities have agreed not to raise tuition by more than 1 percent during the next school year.
