House, Senate lawmakers reconcile budget plans in joint committee

With only two weeks left in the 2019 legislative session, Missouri Senate and House leaders began the process of finalizing the state budget Tuesday.

The objective is to prepare the 13 budget bills for the Governor’s signature, ahead of their constitutional deadline Friday.

Main areas of difference in the House and Senate versions of the budget include higher education policies and funding of road and bridge maintenance.

State Rep. Kip Kendrick, D-Columbia, said he is satisfied with the progess that was made Tuesday morning, including the committee’s decision to recommend $10 million for the development of a planned Targeted Precision Medical Complex at the University of Missouri.

The Conference Committee on Budget meeting was completed around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Sen. Dan Hegeman, R-Cosby, serves as the Senate Appropriations Committee chairman and said he and the chair of the counterpart committee in the House “worked together” on uniting the two versions.

The budget package was immediately sent to the Senate and House Budget committees which, barring any unforeseen delays, will precede a final vote in both full chambers before being sent to Gov. Mike Parson’s desk.

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