Missouri Lawmakers to Return Next Week for FY20 Supplemental Revisions Vote
Missouri lawmakers are set to return next week to consider and revise HB 2017, the FY20 supplemental appropriations bill, which was third read and passed by the House on March 18.
During this unprecedented time, the Governor’s Office has worked with lawmakers on timing for the General Assembly to complete consideration of the FY20 supplemental budget. Currently, the General Assembly plans to meet the week of April 6. The Senate Appropriations Committee will consider the supplemental budget on April 7 with Senate floor debate and passage on April 8. The House is expected to consider and subsequently approve the changes to the supplemental on April 9.
As indicated before, legislators will likely expand the bill to include spending to address COVID-19 needs.
Governor Parson Announces $180 Million in Funding Restrictions, Including $81.3 Million in Higher Education Funding
On Wednesday, April 1, Governor Parson announced $180 million in adjustments to the current fiscal year budget. These expenditure restrictions include $76.3 million for higher education institutions and $5 million for state student financial aid programs.
As COVID-19’s impact on the state continues, the pandemic has placed severe pressure on the state budget. Delayed tax filing deadlines, declining sales and income tax revenue, and other financial issues have altered the FY20 budget outlook, causing Governor Parson to restrict spending in order to maintain a balanced budget.
The impact on higher education includes:
- All public colleges and universities will receive 11/12 of their annual operating appropriations. Allotments will be available on a monthly basis, with the 1/12 reduction spread over the last quarter.
- $60,628 restricted in the Project Lead the Way appropriation.
- $22,231 restricted in the Greenly Research Center appropriation.
- $2.4 million in the University of Missouri’s Precision Medicine Initiative appropriation.
- $133,378 in UMSL’s international collaborative appropriation.
- $288,022 in the State Historical Society appropriation.
For the state student financial aid programs, the Fast Track appropriation will be restricted by $5 million and the remaining Marguerite Ross Barnett funds will be restricted.
As with all expenditure restrictions, these funds may be released if the revenue picture improves.
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