HB 2245 -- SCHOOL FUNDING

SPONSOR:  Bivins

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Elementary
and Secondary Education by a vote of 12 to 1.

Currently, the school funding formula is being phased in with a
ratio of funds calculated under the new formula and funds
calculated under the old formula.  This bill extends the 58% new
formula/42% old formula step of the phase-in for another year,
through the 2010-2011 school year and postpones the two remaining
phase-in steps for an additional school year.

The bill contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Effect on General Revenue Fund of an
income of $93,500,000 in FY 2011, an income of $105,000,000 in FY
2012, and a cost of $100,000,000 in FY 2013.  No impact on Other
State Funds in FY 2011, FY 2012, and FY 2013.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill is the simplest
solution available to address the shortfall in state revenue for
education funding.  If the General Assembly needs statutory
language to support budget decisions, the bill provides it.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Bivins; Edison
Schools; K12 Incorporated; and Coalition to Fund Excellent
Schools.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that other ways to
increase revenues need to be explored before using the option in
the bill.

Testifying against the bill was Missouri National Education
Association.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say that the bill is
similar in concept to what has already been done in the
appropriation bills.

Testifying on the bill was Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:13 pm