Missouri Senate passes $27 billion spending plan

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- More money would go to public schools, universities and scholarships under a budget plan the Missouri Senate passed Thursday that also would cut state funding for Planned Parenthood.

The $27 billion spending plan, which must be hashed out with a version the House passed last month, also boosts funding for prison guards, public defenders and health-care providers.

But despite the extra money for education and health care, senators from both parties cited fundamental issues with how the budget addresses those priorities.

Medicaid spending from the state's general revenues, which surpassed $1.8 billion in the current budget, has increased by more than $360 million. That growth is unsustainable, the Senate's lead budget writer, Republican Kurt Schaefer, said.

Democrats also failed to strip budget provisions banning state money from going to Planned Parenthood for services such as pelvic exams and vaccinations. State law already prohibits public money from funding abortion.

Missouri's colleges and universities would get a $55.8 million increase, a six percent boost Gov. Jay Nixon has said will be enough to freeze tuition next year.

The House spending plan calls for a smaller increase of $9.4 million, or 2 percent for all colleges except the University of Missouri System, which would instead see a cut of more than $8 million.

The Senate spending plan includes a $70 million boost to core K-12 education funding.

State employees would see a 2 percent pay raise, though elected officials would not. The Office of the Public Defender would see a $4.5 million increase to pay for 10 new employees.