JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri lawmakers have passed a spending plan that includes about $69 million more for K-12 schools and nearly $10 million more in performance funding for higher education.
The House Budget Committee on Wednesday passed a package of bills outlining state spending. The measures cover the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Proposals that passed include a roughly $69 million increase in basic aid for public K-12 schools. Education officials say that's still well below what's needed to fully fund schools and less of an increase than the $85 million that Gov. Jay Nixon recommended.
Public colleges and universities could get as much as $9.9 million more in performance-based funding. Nixon had asked for more than $55.6 million.
The budget next moves to the full House for debate.