House Budget Committee considers Chair’s Amendments and markups FY 2023 budget
On Monday, March 28, the House Budget Committee, chaired by Rep. Cody Smith (R-Carthage), unveiled the chair’s recommended budget for HBs 3001-3013, HB 3015, and HB 3020. The committee reviewed each of the changes between Governor Parson’s budget proposal and the chairman’s recommendations well into the evening.
The committee reconvened after 8:15 a.m. on Thursday, March 31 to consider the Chairman’s Amendment to all budget bills. Under the amendment, Rep. Smith:
- Restored funding in FY 2023 to fund the ARPA MoExcels for private, non-profit higher education institutions ($10 million) and Agriculture Innovation and Workforce Grant ($10 million)
- Moved a new statewide math supplement ($4 million) from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to the Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development
- Created a digital skills training and workforce development program under the Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development ($1 million)
During the hearing, all members were allowed to offer amendments. Other notable changes between the Governor’s proposal and the House Budget markup bills include:
HB 3003:
- $4.5 million in General Revenue increase to Access Missouri
- $0 funding for the Dual Credit Scholarship Program (original request for $7 million)
- $2.3 million in General Revenue for a precision health and agricultural sciences program at Missouri Southern State University
- $600,000 for an organization providing services in a city, not within a county, that facilitates supplemental education programs, job development and training, and community service programs for under-resourced individuals
- Line-iteming the University of Missouri’s land grant funding from its core appropriation
- Adds language in HB 3 (and throughout all budget bills other than HB 1) that states, “No funds shall be expended in support of any general admission event that requires or inquires about COVID-19 vaccination status, or COVID-19 testing unless required by Missouri states statute or a Governor’s emergency order”
HB 3020:
- $0 for the DHEWD Workforce Outreach Campaign initiative (the original request was for $1.8 million over four years)
- $250,000 in ARPA one-year funding for modernizing Missouri’s job centers (the original request was for $2.7 million)
The committee supported a DHEWD request for a fund switch from federal funds to General Revenue for the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center’s Workforce Analysis Staffing line-item, which will allow the department to continue to provide valuable state-level economic research .
The committee also discussed Lincoln University’s land grant match, Missouri State University’s agriculture program focus, and a National Geospatial Intelligence funding idea that may receive floor consideration.
Next week, the full House will debate and vote on the budget.
House Higher Education Committee holds hearing on dual credit/dual enrollment legislation
On Monday, March 28, the House Higher Education Committee, chaired by Rep. Dan Houx (R-Warrensburg) during this hearing, considered Rep. Brenda Shields’ (R-St. Joseph) HB 2731. The legislation would expand the current dual credit program authorized under §173.2500 and 173.2505, RSMo, to dual enrollment opportunities. It would also revise the award structure to serve students with financial needs more effectively. The proposal also removes existing limits to the program awards, including the 50 percent coverage limit on all tuition and fee costs and the $500 total annual award received cap. Furthermore, the legislation provides additional clarity on the program’s financial need requirements.
All legislators who spoke during the hearing shared positive remarks about the legislation and appreciated Rep. Shields for bringing the bill forward.
The Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development spoke in favor of the legislation and noted Governor Parson recommended $7 million for the program in his FY 2023 budget proposal. The Council on Public Higher Education and the Missouri Community College Association also spoke in favor during the hearing. None spoke in opposition.
|
