EDUCATION, LEGISLATION, TAXES

The Missouri General Assembly is looking at a major tax hike to increase state funding for higher education and elementary and secondary schools.

The Senate bill would provide $248 million for higher education and $184 million for elementary and secondary schools. The House bill would provide about $300 million each for higher education, and elementary and secondary education.

The following is a breakdown on the two bills and how the money would be spent.

Higher Education

Building and equipment maintenance and repairs: Senate bill, $34.5 million; House bill, $40 million.

Recruitment of economically and educationally disadvantaged students: Senate bill, $7.4 million; House bill, $10 million.

Funding for colleges and universities to improve student skills in areas including writing, speech and foreign language: Senate bill, $12.3 million; House bill, $12.5 million.

Mission enhancement funding to promote institutional change consistent with a state master plan and the institutions' missions: Senate bill, $94.8 million, House bill, $120 million.

Community colleges: Senate bill, $29.5 million; House bill, $30 million.

Competitive research funding that would transfer funds into two existing grant programs: Senate bill, $12.3 million; House bill, $12.5 million.

Scholarships: Senate bill, $3.7 million; House bill, $3.7 million.

Endowed chairs: Senate bill, $2.5 million; House bill, $7.5 million.

Funding to increase University Extension services: Senate bill, $1.2 million; House bill, $1.2 million.

Scholarships and fellowships to increase the number of math and science teachers in Missouri: Senate bill, $3.7 million; House bill, $3.7 million.

MOBUCKS/Student loans: Allows link-deposit loans to be made to eligible students: Senate bill, $1.3 million; House bill, provision not included.

Funding of work study programs for college and university students who demonstrate financial need: Senate bill, not included; House bill, $3.7 million.

Funding to improve and redesign teacher education programs: Senate bill, not included; House bill, $4.2 million.

Elementary and secondary:

Funding for various programs to improve the success rate of at-risk children in school, including alternative education programs for potential dropouts and day-care programs: Senate bill, $31 million; House bill, $24 million

Funding for Parents as Teachers program to improve at-home learning: Senate bill and House bill, $24 million each.

Adult literacy and basic education: Senate and House bills, $10 million each.

Vocational technical funding: Senate and House bills, $12 million.

Tuition reimbursement for teachers who complete academic courses with a grade of B or above: Senate bill, not included; House bill, $1.5 million.

Professional development for teachers, Senate bill, not available; House bill, $5 million.

Incentive grants to districts, schools and teachers for innovative teaching projects: Senate bill, not available; House bill, $15 million.

Funds state mandated minimum salary requirements for public school teachers: Senate bill, not included; House bill, $7.5 million.

Incentive to reduce class sizes in grades K-3: Senate bill, not included; House bill, $18 million.

Funding to allow families to have a choice in deciding where their children will attend school in a district: Senate bill, not included; House bill, $1 million.

Foundation formula funding: Senate bill, $104.8 million; House bill, $180 million.