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The historically high surplus Missouri has enjoyed for the past six years will be nearly depleted at the end of the coming fiscal year, state budget director Dan Haug warned lawmakers during a committee hearing last week. For several years, the state has budgeted billions more from the general revenue fund than current taxes were [ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦]

For the first time in years, the legislative session wasnÐÔÊӽ紫ý™t defined by Republican infighting.  The GOP supermajority managed to mend fences and get along most of the year. And even though both the House and Senate left town early last week ÐÔÊӽ紫ý” an historically rare occurrence that is quickly becoming the norm ÐÔÊӽ紫ý” they still [ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦]

Blast waves from FridayÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s explosive decision by Missouri House Republicans to kill a $517 million capital improvements bill echoed through the state Monday, with local officials picking up the shards of shattered plans and state senators furious as they recover from shell shock. The spending on new construction isnÐÔÊӽ紫ý™t essential for the day-to-day operations of [ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦]

Missouri House Republicans unexpectedly refused to allow a vote Friday on a $513 million spending bill for construction projects, citing a desire to control spending for a move that was not anticipated by Democrats in the chamber or members of the state Senate. The move sank funding for major projects around the state, including national [ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦]

After a sharp, brief fight in which Democrats were outnumbered by majority Republicans, Missouri legislative budget negotiators agreed Thursday to spend $50 million to expand the MOScholars program that helps pay tuition at private and parochial schools. The general revenue support would be the first time state tax dollars have been appropriated directly to the [ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦]

MissouriÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s public schools would be fully funded and a policy some blame for undermining a child care subsidy program would be fixed, legislative budget negotiators decided Wednesday night as they worked through eight of the 13 spending bills for state operations in the coming year. Over about three hours, the conference committees of five lawmakers [ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦]

A Senate bill allowing homeschooled student participation in public and charter school activities and athletics passed the Missouri House on Wednesday. Sponsored by state Sen. Ben Brown, a Republican from Washington, the bill would prohibit public and charter schools from banning homeschooled or full-time virtual students from taking part in school athletics and activities. A [ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦]

More than half a billion dollars in general revenue earmarks added to the Missouri budget for hundreds of local projects or favored vendors will be in play when the final budget negotiations take place next week. The Missouri Senate on Tuesday night will start debating 13 spending bills to fund state government operations in the [ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦]

The Missouri Senate will debate a state budget that adds large sums to public education, endorses Gov. Mike KehoeÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s longevity raise plan in full and sets up a showdown between two powerful lawmakers over earmarked projects for their districts. To get the bills to the full Senate, appropriations staff will have to overcome or work [ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦]

The Missouri House sent the state Senate a budget of almost $48 billion to fund state agency operations in the coming fiscal year, a spending plan almost certain to grow as the upper chamber adds more money for public schools and child care. The 13 spending bills use about $2.1 billion less overall and $800 [ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦]