With the governor's signature, the appropriations bills that make up the Fiscal Year 2019 state operating budget officially became law and took effect when the new fiscal year began July 1. In total, the bills make up a $28.6 billion budget that makes a record investment in K-12 education, and stabilizes funding for Missouri's institutions of higher learning.
Some of the highlights of the state spending plan include:
* Full funding for the school foundation formula for the second consecutive year for the first time in the state's history. Lawmakers approved a $99 million funding increase for K-12 public schools, while also increasing funding for school transportation by more than $10 million.
* Reversal of a recommended cut of $68 million for higher education funding in conjunction with a deal that will prevent excessive tuition increases at the state's universities and colleges.
* Funding increases for the state's scholarship programs, which include a $2 million increase for Access Missouri, $3.5 million in additional funds for the A+ Scholarship Program; and an additional $1 million for Bright Flight.
* $1.8 million increase in funding for the state's independent living centers, which help people with disabilities to increase their independence and their opportunity to participate in day-to-day life within their communities.
* $4 million in state support for Missouri's Access to Recovery program and peer support, which helps individuals and families struggling with substance use disorders and provides the tools needed for long-term recovery.
* $8.5 million increase in funding for the First Steps Program that provides services to families with children, birth to three years of age, with disabilities or developmental delays.
* $4.75 million increase over the governor's recommendation for tourism funding and grants ($14.75 million total).
While the governor signed the majority of the legislature's budget priorities into law, he also used his line-item veto authority to strike several appropriations from the spending plan.
In total he issued 21 line-item vetoes totaling more than $12 million. The vetoes impact funding for several of the state's colleges and universities, including Missouri Southern, Harris-Stowe, Truman State, Northwest Missouri State, and Three Rivers Community College. Other vetoes impact funding for the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Office of Child Advocate, and Volunteer Firefighter Workers' Compensation Grants.
With the vetoed appropriations, lawmakers will have the option to consider veto overrides during the annual Veto Session in September. An override requires a two-thirds vote in each chamber of the legislature and would reauthorize the vetoed spending line.
A piece of legislation designed to reauthorize several benevolent tax credits includes a provision that is designed specifically to benefit schoolchildren. The bill -- The Schoolchildren Health, Hunger and Hygiene Tax Credit (HB 1288) -- which was recently signed into law by the governor, offers an incentive for financial contributions to organizations that provide funding for unmet health, hunger and hygiene needs of children in school.
The sponsor's inspiration for the legislation was the result of attending a presentation by one of the founders of the Care to Learn organization. Care to Learn focuses on meeting the health, hunger and hygiene needs of schoolchildren with 33 chapters throughout the state. Knowing that these issues can be significant barriers to learning and student success, the bill's sponsor was committed to finding a way to help.
The legislation approved by the General Assembly allows taxpayers to receive a credit against their taxes in an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of the eligible donation. The program will be administered like the state's other benevolent tax credit programs, such as those benefiting maternity homes and pregnancy resource centers. Once a donation is received, the provider organization will submit an application on behalf of the taxpayer to the Missouri Department of Social Services for approval of a tax credit.
As the sponsor said, "Children who struggle with not having enough to eat, with cleanliness, or with illness are distracted by those issues and unable to concentrate on reading, math or science. Removing these barriers can help them learn and be successful in school."
In addition to creating the Schoolchildren Health, Hunger and Hygiene Tax Credit, the legislation modifies the Champion for Children Tax Credit, extends the sunset and raises the cap on Maternity Homes and Pregnancy Resource Centers Tax Credits, extends and expands the Donated Food Tax Credit, and creates the Diaper Bank Tax Credit.
As always, it is an honor to serve the good folks of the 153rd District. If you would like to discuss any issue, please call 573-751-1066 or you can e-mail me at steve.cookson@house.mo.gov