Education would be spared from cuts but fewer state employees would get pay raises under a budget plan put forth by a Missouri Senate committee.
The Senate Appropriations Committee agreed Wednesday to follow the House's lead by holding funding flat for public universities — shunning Gov. Jay Nixon's recommendation for cuts. The Senate committee plan would provide a $5 million increase to community colleges to train an estimated 500 additional students.
The Senate committee also agreed with the House to add about $5 million to Missouri's $3 billion basic aid program to public school districts.
The Senate panel endorsed a 2 percent pay raise for state employees making less than $45,000 annually. The House plan had set the salary cutoff at $70,000 for the pay raise.