Tagged: funding

Legislation is on a fast track in the Missouri Senate to bring the state into compliance with federal standards for commercial truckers and drunken driving penalties.

Missouri risks losing tens of millions of federal road construction dollars if it does not change its laws to match the federal mandates.

On Wednesday, the Senate Transportation Committee took the unusual step of hearing testimony and approving the bill on the same day. Chairman Bill Stouffer says he hopes the legislation can be brought up for debate by the full Senate next week.

Mo. lawmakers to consider changes to school funding formula

Legislative leaders say addressing Missouri's school funding formula is one of their top priorities for the annual session that starts Wednesday.

Because of tight budgets there has not been enough money in recent years to fully fund the education formula. That has prompted concern that the distribution of the money could benefit certain districts at the expense of others.

A task force is recommending that funding for universities and community colleges in Missouri be based in part on graduation rates and other performance-based criteria.

The recommendation was presented today in Jefferson City to the state’s Coordinating Board for Higher Education.  State Senator David Pearce (R, Warrensburg) chairs the Senate Education Committee.