Missouri lawmakers on Thursday passed a sweeping education bill that includes raising the minimum salary for teachers to $40,000, recalculating the state's school funding formula and significantly expanding the state's tax credit scholarship program. It was approved.
The House passed the Senate bill. 82-69 — Minimum number of votes required. The House made no changes to the Senate bill, so the bill now heads to Gov. Mike Parson's desk. This bill is the second bill passed by both houses of Congress this Congress.
“This is the most substantial investment in public education this state has ever made.” Rep. Phil Cristofanelli (R-St. Louis) Peters said on the House floor before the vote. This will be a tough vote for some people, but it will probably be the most important vote ever. ”
The approximately 150-page bill includes significant expansions to the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Account program. This account allows families to obtain funds to send their children to the schools of their choice, including private schools.
The account is funded by private donors, who receive tax credits from the state.
This bill would increase the amount of tax credits allocated each year to $75 million. It would also expand the program's availability across the state and increase the maximum family income to qualify for the funds.
“We are prioritizing these scholarships to low-income students. And we are removing geographic restrictions that were arbitrarily denying people access to programs that work,” Kristoff said. Mr. Anelli said.
Critics of the plan say it takes money away from public education and gives it to private schools.
“From my personal standpoint, I really thought this bill was about transferring public funds to private institutions,” said House Minority Leader Crystal. said Quaid, a Springfield Democrat.
When the bill was first introduced in the Senate, it contained only language expanding the scholarship account program.
Another measure supported by Republicans in the bill was the expansion of charter schools into Boone County.
Currently, charter schools are only allowed in St. Louis County and the city of Kansas City, but a bill was recently introduced that would allow charter schools in St. Louis County and St. Charles County.
Four Columbia-area Democrats each opposed the bill on the House floor.
“This bill is poison. Our schools are accredited. We don't need this bill,” said Rep. David Tyson Smith, D-Columbia. “We're already on a razor's edge economically. Bringing charter schools to Boone County is what this bill specifically does, and it's painful for us.”
Smith later admonished Senate Democrats against killing the bill while it was still in the Senate.
“We're not okay with that. It should have been filibustered. It shouldn't have gone this far and it should have stopped,” Smith said.
The bill also includes measures that have more support from both parties. This includes recalculating the state's school funding formula to account for enrollment rather than just attendance.
Another provision in the bill increases the minimum salary for teachers.
This legislation increases the minimum wage from $25,000. Up to $40,000 per year.
“I think the amount of money that's going to go into public schools is huge. I think this is going to help our public schools and our school districts,” said Rep. Jamie Berger (R-Benton).
While Democrats support raising the minimum wage for teachers and have proposed bills and amendments that would do just that, they are concerned that the bill lacks a funding mechanism to ensure the increase happens. expressed.
“We say we value teachers by raising the minimum wage. But there's nothing in the bill that ties that to anything else,” said Rep. Deb Lavender, D-Manchester. .
Quaid said after the vote that he remains concerned about the lack of guaranteed funding.
“We know that our revenue will change significantly as early as next year. And yes, when we look at these provisions in the bill that we really like, there are concerns,” Quaid said. said.
House Minority Leader John Patterson, R-Lee Summit, said he believes funding related to the bill is a priority.
“Our top priority is making sure our kids have what they need to go out and learn and compete with kids from all over the world,” Patterson said.
