We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Missouri legislature begins budget negotiations under the watchful eye of the clock

By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

Photo courtesy of the Missouri House of Representatives

A deadline looms as negotiators from the Missouri Senate and House sit down to iron out differences in the two chambers’ approaches to the $30 billion state budget.

Sen. Dan Hegeman of Cosby chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee and says a rebound in state revenue should help negotiations.

State revenues are 2% ahead of last year, a huge turnaround from when money flowing into the state coffers plummeted 18% below the previous year.

Hegeman says his committee recommends fully funding the formula for public schools, providing an increase to the core higher education budget, and even spending money on early childhood education.

“One of the bigger things, though, is the governor’s recommendation that we invest in infrastructure needs as well as workforce development,” Hegeman tells St. Joseph Post. “And we are really pleased we were able to go with much of the governor’s recommendation on that.”

Gov. Mike Parson recommended issuing $351 million in bonds to repair 250 deteriorating bridges throughout Missouri. It has met with resistance in the legislature.

The governor’s bonding proposal will likely be the main sticking point between Senate and House budget negotiators. The House has resisted the governor’s call to issue infrastructure bonds. The Senate proposes spending $50 million in General Funds upfront, then borrowing $301 million to be paid back over seven years. The governor had proposed 15-year bonds.

Hegeman is hopeful the $50 million upfront and the shorter payoff period, which should save $75 million in interest, will entice the House to agree to the infrastructure package.

“Still do the bulk of the 250 bridges with both of those efforts and that will free up money on the state transportation plan for new projects to come on,” Hegeman says.

Hegeman expects disagreement as negotiators from the two chambers sit down for talks this week at the Capitol.

“We’ve certainly got some areas for consideration and discussion,” according to Hegeman. “Now, the transportation package will be one of them. The package for higher education will be another. Ours is vastly different than what the governor and the House came up with as well. So, those will be a couple of areas that we’ll have discussions on.”

Negotiators meet under a strict deadline. They must agree to a compromise, which will go to both the Senate and the House for passage. The General Assembly must pass a budget and send it to Gov. Parson by adjournment Friday.

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File