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Missouri lawmakers on Friday finalized a $51.7 billion state budget for the coming fiscal year, narrowly meeting a constitutional deadline after weeks of partisan debate and procedural turmoil. The budget, which includes a 3.2% pay raise for state employees and a 3% boost in funding for public higher education, marks the culmination of a legislative session marked by infighting among Republicans, Democratic demands for more education funding, and a last-minute scramble to avoid a special session. The final spending plan, which now heads to Gov. Mike Parson’s desk, sits between the House-passed $50.7 billion budget and the Senate’s initial $53 billion proposal. It also represents a slight reduction from Parson’s January request of $52.7 billion. The budget’s passage came after a Senate debate that stretched late into Thursday night, with lawmakers from both chambers rushing to reconcile differences before the midnight deadline. The process was far from smooth, with critics on both sides accusing their counterparts of rushing the budget through without adequate scrutiny. **A Budget Built on Compromise—and Controversy** The $51.7 billion budget is the product of intense negotiations between Senate Appropriations Chairman Lincoln Hough and House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith. The final figure is about halfway between the two chambers’ initial proposals, reflecting a compromise that left some lawmakers dissatisfied. Democrats, in particular, argued that the budget fell short on education funding, while some Republicans complained about the lack of transparency and the rushed timeline. The budget includes $15.3 billion in general revenue for the new fiscal year, with $14.6 billion allocated for agency operations—about $287 million more than Parson’s proposal and $424 million more than the House-approved budget. For the current fiscal year, the supplemental appropriations bring the total to $53.5 billion, with $15.8 billion in general revenue spending. **Why the Rush? And What’s Next?** The legislative session was marked by dysfunction, including a 41-hour filibuster that stalled all work last week. To meet the deadline, Hough and Smith had to negotiate in real time, removing and adding provisions to ensure the budget could pass both chambers. Gov. Parson, who leaves office in January, has not yet indicated whether he will sign the budget, citing concerns about leaving unfunded needs for his successor. The budget also includes $47.5 billion for general operations and $4.1 billion from the Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which must be spent by the end of 2026. Some of these funds have already been allocated to major projects, including improvements at colleges and universities, wastewater systems, and local infrastructure. **Stakeholders React: From Relief to Caution** Lawmakers and advocacy groups offered mixed reactions. Senate Democrats warned that the rushed process could lead to errors requiring a special session or supplemental budget next year. House Democrats, who had repeatedly criticized the lack of transparency, expressed relief that the budget was passed but cautioned that the lowballing of program costs could create future problems. “Here’s not normal. And It’s not transparent. And it is not good government,” said Rep. Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis, during the final vote. Senate Republicans, however, defended the final product, arguing that the budget was crafted responsibly despite the tight timeline. “My goal here was to craft a good fiscally responsible budget with our counterparts in the House,” said Hough. “It was not about beating them into submission.” **What’s Next for Missouri’s Budget?** With the budget now on Gov. Parson’s desk, the focus shifts to his office, where staff will review the details before a decision on signature or veto. Parson has previously emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility, and his final actions on the budget will be closely watched. Lawmakers have also signaled that the process this year should not become the norm. “I would posit that it would very well be a different decision next time,” said Smith, acknowledging concerns about the precedent set by this year’s rushed budget process. For Missourians, the budget’s passage means stability—for now. But with ongoing debates about education funding, state employee wages, and the use of federal relief funds, the conversation about how to best spend taxpayer dollars is far from over. **Have questions or insights about Missouri’s budget? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media.**
Missouri Lawmakers Approve $50.7 Billion Budget Amid School Funding Debate
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