The Missouri State Senate this week began intensive floor work on state government’s $16.8 billion budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. Twelve appropriation bills comprise the budget, which pays for all public services provided by the state of Missouri.
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We spend a great portion of the session dealing with the budget and its contents. I worked extensively on two particular issues this week concerning the budget. The first deals with the desegregation appropriation. Most of you know my opinion on the desegregation settlement in St. Louis. I filibustered last year for seven hours to stop this school refinancing bill. Now in this year’s budget we see the effects.
St. Louis desegregation has cost the state roughly $157 million per year for the past few years. We have now won the case and are anticipating the deseg savings. So how much did we spend on St. Louis this year? This year we appropriated $172 million! That’s some deseg savings.
I fought this budget priority. I drafted an amendment that would have increased outstate school funding by $26.7 million dollars. Not surprisingly, it failed by an 8-24 vote. I will continue to fight for our fair share of education dollars. Our children are no less deserving.
Another budget item that is very troubling is the Department of Transportation aircraft funding. MoDOT has flown over 200 flights this past year to transport various employees to meetings, award ceremonies, highway opening and ribbon-cutting ceremonies, retirement functions and funerals. This just adds fuel to the fire of our outrage at the misuse of gas tax revenue to support their extravagance.
The end of session is now a month away. The pace is quickening. If you need any information or want to advise me on pending legislation, please feel free to call my Jefferson City office at (573) 751-3271.
by Sen. Sam Graves