Kraus: Senate Budget Proposal

Senate Completes Its Budget Review

The Senate has completed yet another step in the budget process by approving 13 budget bills, totaling $23.2 billion, for the next fiscal year. The bills include a $6 million net reduction in spending from the budget proposed by Gov. Jay Nixon in January. As we have pledged all along, I am happy to report that we did not raise taxes.

I voted against several budget bills because we are using close to $400 million in one-time federal funds that will not be available next year. Using one-time money for on-going budget items is irresponsible.

This year, education remained a top budget priority for the Senate. The Senate budget included several major increases from the plan proposed by both Gov. Nixon and the House. I was particularly interested in and happy that we were able to find funding for the following:

• In the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, we increased funding for Early Childhood Special Education by over $9 million. Funding for the Parents As Teachers Program was increased over what was proposed by Gov. Nixon by over $3 million. There was a core reduction to the School Transportation appropriation of $35 million; however, the Senate added $20 million back compared to the proposed governor and House budgets
  
• In the Department of Higher Education, we proposed moving $30 million of General Revenue funds slated for the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative to the Access MO Scholarship Program. We also increased funding for the A+ Schools Program by $7 million.
  

Overall, funding for our public schools remains flat from what it is this fiscal year. A cut of 4.8 percent is proposed for higher education; this is a smaller cut than the 7 percent cut proposed in the governor’s budget.

The next step for our state’s budget is that differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget bills will now be ironed out by legislators in conference committees. Negotiated versions must return to the House before obtaining Senate approval to advance to the governor. As required by the constitution, the budget must pass by 6 p.m. on Friday, May 6.

Rate Increase

The Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) recently approved a 5.23 percent rate increase for Kansas City Power & Light. The PSC operates independently of the Legislature, so we do not have a say over its decisions. I know the increase will be hard on those with fixed incomes.

This week, I opposed a fee increase on your utility bill that would have gone to fund the Office of the Public Council. Opposing the fee was something I could do to stop additional costs to consumers.