The members of the Missouri House gave their stamp of approval to the appropriation bills that make up the Fiscal Year 2022 State Operating Budget. Members spent more than seven hours on the House floor Tuesday as they discussed and amended the 13 bills that contain more than $32 billion in funding.
With the spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year, the House once again prioritized funding for K-12 education. The budget makes a record investment in K-12 education as it once again fully funds the School Foundation Formula. In total, elementary and secondary education will receive $8,071,696,005 in funding.
The House also prioritized funding for Missouri’s foster care and adoption programs. Significant increases include:
• $40.7 million increase to Adoption and Guardianship Subsidies
• $12.8 million increase to Foster Care Maintenance Payments that support families with foster children
• $4.8 million to provide behavioral health supports for children in foster care and their families
• $1.3 million increase in support for Infant Care expenses for kids in foster care
• $1.2 million increase in funds for clothing allowances for children in foster care
• $1 million for up to 16 new attorneys for foster care legal representation in Missouri’s courts
• $400,000 to boost foster parent training
Other highlights of the FY 2022 budget include:
• $3 million for a Rural Advising Program to help high school students and counselors in rural areas with college entry
• $2.5 million for increased transportation costs for school districts
• $2.1 million in new funding for parent education development screenings (Parents As Teachers)
• $67.5 million in restored funding for four-year public institutions that was previously lost due to the pandemic
• Increases to all four of the state’s primary scholarship programs: A+, Bright Flight, Access Missouri, and Fast Track
• $3 million funding increase for Missouri’s 12 community colleges
• As much as $10 million from the sale of medical marijuana to help support the state’s Veterans Homes Program
• $4.6 million for various improvements to Missouri’s veteran homes
• $21.3 million in new funding to increase salaries and retain corrections officers
• $14 million in new funding for the Aid to Counties program (prisoner per diem)
• $134.1 million in federal stimulus funds for the Department of Health and Senior Services to continue coronavirus mitigation efforts
• $146.7 million in total funds to increase reimbursement to those providers who take care of Missouri’s developmentally disabled population
The appropriations bills now move to the Senate for consideration. The two chambers will need to agree on a final version of the state spending plan by May 7, which is the constitutional deadline for budget approval.
Other Bills Sent to the Senate:
HJRs 23 & 38 proposes a constitutional amendment to assert the right of Missourians to hunt and fish. Upon voter approval, this proposed constitutional amendment guarantees the right of hunters and anglers in the state to engage in hunting and harvesting wildlife and fishing using traditional legal means, subject to duly authorized powers of the Conservation Commission.
HB 69 changes the law regarding the sale of metals. Supporters say copper theft continues to plague areas across Missouri. The bill requires a photo ID to be copied when there is a sale of copper.
HB 298 extends the option to donate income tax refunds to the Missouri National Guard Foundation Fund. Supporters say the bill will reauthorize an income tax refund donation which funds the Missouri National Guard Foundation Fund. This fund improves the quality of life of service members through these donations.
If you have any questions regarding any state matters or legislation, please don’t hesitate to contact email me at Darrell.Atchison@house.mo.gov or call 573-751-1066.
If you would like to sign up for my capitol report following this link: https://house.mo.gov/CapitolReport.aspx?district=153 .
It is an honor to serve as your State Representative.
Atchison represents District 153.