Mo. House budget chair seeks to fully fund schools

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The House budget chairman is proposing to give Missouri's public schools the full amount called for under the state's financing formula.

Republican House member Allen Icet, of Wildwood, released his version of Missouri's 2011 budget on Thursday.

Icet wants to provide the full $106 million increase due elementary and secondary schools next year. Gov. Jay Nixon had proposed an $18 million increase, saying the state could not afford more. Icet's plan makes cuts elsewhere in the budget.

But more revisions are likely to the proposed budget. Earlier this week, Nixon warned that tax revenues are falling below expectations and Missouri must restructure its government.