Education funding dominates House budget debate

By: Marie Moyer

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KQTV) -- Both houses of the Missouri General Assembly took up the state budget Wednesday, with contention over whether the legislature would properly fund K-12 education.

The budget bills are due on the governor's desk by Friday.

After several days of deliberation in a conference committee, the total operating budget comes to around $48.7 billion -- about $3 billion less than recommended by Gov. Mike Kehoe.

"It's a budget that balances and starts to take a critical look at making sure Missouri state government is living within its means," Budget Chairman Rep. Dirk Deaton (R-Seneca) said during a news conference.

The education funding bill, House Bill 2002, drew heavy debate. The 2027 budget has a little under $4.3 billion set aside for the state's Foundation Formula. The program helps fund districts and private schools based on enrollment.

While around $13 million more than last year's Foundation Formula budget, the funding falls short of what the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requested by around $190 million.

Supporters of the budget argue that education has consistently been prioritized.

"We did put, again, half a billion dollars in last year, fully funded the transportation line that goes up every year," Deaton said. "I would challenge anyone to look at anything else in the state budget and tell me where we've done more, where we have prioritized more."

"I don't recall a whole lot of 'atta-boys' for fully funding the formula the previous years, it wasn't enough then," Rep. Darin Chappell (R-Rogersville) said.

Opponents argued that the funding request was calculated to continue underfunding public education. Budget committee member Rep. Kathy Steinhoff (D-Columbia) reported that for the current 2026 fiscal year, the state has been $245 short of the Missouri State Adequacy Target for each K-12 student, or the baseline per-student funding foundation formula.

"Just because we are spending a hefty amount on schools, which we are, it doesn't make it our priority; if it were our priority, we would fully fund it first and then work out the rest," Steinhoff said.

Opponents also called out the sources of funding for education, including a projected $106.5 million from the Lottery Proceeds Fund and $6.8 million from the Sports Wagering for Education Fund. These are annual proceeds from the state lottery and sports betting that go to education.

Stienhoff added that current lottery earnings have not met expected funds.

"People aren't playing the lottery as much as we banked on, the sports wagering wasn't coming in like predicted, the shortfall has been passed on to the children of this state, we are underfunding this current year's expenses," Stienhoff said.

Deaton adds that the projected numbers are based on numbers from previous years.

"Is House Bill 2 [2002] based on projections of lottery? Yes, just like the whole state budget is," Deaton said.

This is an ongoing story.