JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The state Senate has passed a mid-year spending increase to Missouri's $26 billion budget.
Senators voted 31-0 Tuesday to pass a budget supplement of $466 million in state and federal money, which largely reflects higher health care costs than officials estimated last year. Higher drug prices have been the biggest factor driving costs, and caseloads have also increased.
The Senate's spending plan is about $23 million lower than the House's. The House can either accept the Senate's plan or lawmakers will meet to negotiate the differences between the proposals.