Missouri Budget Update: Senate Approves Return to Governor’s Recommendation

Dear Truman Community:

I am happy to report that the Missouri Senate approved the recommendation of the Senate Appropriations Committee to reverse the FTE funding formula approach in the House budget and return to the Governor’s recommendation of flat funding across all public higher education institutions.  I am enormously appreciative of the support Senators O’Laughlin and Nurrenbern expressed for Truman on the Senate floor during discussion of the budget bill.

The next step in the process will be a conference with selected members of the House and Senate negotiating the difference between their versions of higher education funding.  It is important to note that the conference does not just split the difference between the two plans.  For example, last year, the Governor recommended a 1.5% increase in core appropriations for higher education; the House budget provided a 0% increase; the Senate budget provided a 3% increase; and a 3% increase emerged from the conference committee.  The Legislature must submit its budget to the Governor by May 8.  We are now targeting our efforts on the conference committee supporting the Senate’s position of flat funding.  I will continue to keep you updated.

The finish line is coming for not only the budget process, but also for the semester.  Keep up your great work and be sure to take time to celebrate each other and everything you have accomplished this year!

All the best,
Sue