Submitted by the Office of Jim Kalberloh
To the Constituents of the 126th District,
The last 2 weeks have been extremely busy here in Jefferson City. As I am on the Budget committee this year, we as a committee finished it up last week when we completed mark-up last Thursday with a 10 hour hearing that ended at 12:30am on Friday morning! That was my excuse for not producing a Capitol Report last week. This week the budget was perfected and printed on the House floor with lots of robust debate and last minute amendments, trying to get things added into the budget. We try and be as fiscally responsible as we can with every tax dollar. The budget this year is a little over 45 billion, yes that is billion with a “B”, as there are still a lot of federal dollars from covid relief still going out. Below will follow some highlights of the budget, but if you have any specific questions, please feel free to reach out to me!
Missouri House Approves Fiscal Year 2024 State Operating Budget (HBs 1-13)
The members of the Missouri House of Representatives this week approved a $45.6 billion state operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year that begins in July. The 13 appropriations bills passed by the House include full funding for the state’s school foundation formula, funding increases for institutions of higher learning, additional support for law enforcement and school safety, and new funding for nursing homes and child care providers.
With the FY 2024 state budget plan, House members are making an enormous investment in the both the K-12 and higher education systems. The House allocated approximately $9.7 billion for the state’s elementary and secondary education system. That number includes full funding for the state’s foundation formula that is used to fund K-12 public schools. It also includes an additional $233 million to provide a total of $347 million to fully fund school transportation for the second time in as many years. The House Budget Chairman included another $55.1 million in funding for Close the Gap grants that will help Missouri families address the learning loss that occurred as a result of the pandemic.
With the approval of the state budget, House members also showed their strong support for law enforcement and public safety. The spending plan now on its way to the Senate would provide a 20% pay increase for the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Capitol Police. The budget also includes $50 million for school safety grants for Missouri schools to make physical security investments on their campuses, develop safety plans, establish school resource officer programs, and increase active threat trainings. Additionally, the budget provides an additional $2 million to the Missouri National Guard to assist with recruitment.
Budget Highlights
$9.7 billion in funding for the state’s system of K-12 education which includes full funding ($3.6 billion) for the school foundation formula.
$233 million increase to provide a total of $347 million to fully fund school transportation for the second time in as many years.
$2 million for Classroom Support Grants.
$55.1 million in funding for Close the Gap grants that will help Missouri families address the learning loss that occurred as a result of the pandemic.
$56 million recommended by the governor to expand pre-kindergarten options to all four-year-old children eligible for free and reduced priced lunch at no cost.
$31.9 million to expand the Teacher Career Ladder Program.
Full funding for state scholarship programs such as Bright Flight, Access Missouri, and A+.
20% pay increases for the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Capitol Police to help attract and retain quality officers.
$50 million for school safety grants for Missouri schools to make physical security investments on their campuses, develop safety plans, establish school resource officer programs, and increase active threat trainings.
$20 million to support Missouri’s veteran’s homes.
$72.9 million in new funding for nursing home rate increases to help ensure homes can continue to provide quality care to some of the state’s most vulnerable Missourians.
$78.5 million to expand childcare access, improve facilities, and help employers increase staff wages.
$24.8 million to reform and rebuild the Children’s Division including adding caseworkers and adding prevention workers to keep children out of foster care.
$4.3 million to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to implement its new maternal mortality plan.
$1.3 million for grants to increase access to drug addiction treatment.
$10 million for autism research.
$247.7 million to continue broadband expansion efforts
I am honored to serve as your Representative in the Missouri House. If at any time, you have questions, concerns or ideas regarding state government, please feel free to contact me at 573-751-5388 or Jim.Kalberloh@house.mo.gov.
