budget

The $45 billion budget includes millions for both starting and existing teacher salaries and school transportation. Missouri teachers have the lowest starting pay of any state in the U.S.

One notable inclusion is the extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months, which advocates hope will reduce pregnancy-related complications. But the budget does not include school funding, which lawmakers are still debating.

The Missouri Senate is expected to make changes to the House’s legislation. Senators have expressed frustration at the House taking what they believe is longer than normal on the budget with only six weeks left in the 2022 session.

The legislation includes $269 million for police, the biggest budget of any city department. Attempts by city council members to have more control over how the police department spends money ultimately failed.

City Council will vote on funding for Kansas City Police this week. But Chief Rick Smith said in a radio interview that funding the department with 20% of the city’s general fund — as state law requires — still amounts to “defunding” the police.

The city council is considering an ordinance that would give the police department $33 million more than what is called for under state law. The money would fund community prevention and policing.

Kansas City is planning to spend nearly $2 billion on city services this year, from police to housing, but where exactly will that taxpayer money go? Plus, both the KU and Kansas State women's basketball teams are headed into the first round of March Madness.

Kansas City’s new snow removal process has been tested as the city experienced several snowy days in recent weeks.

The budget for the upcoming year will determine the amount of money each city department receives, from the police department to housing services.

Mayor cites progress for city's houseless population as one of the best achievements of the year.

Lawmakers have heard testimony about a long wish list of building projects. Colleges and universities last month asked for $435 million for labs, classrooms and athletic facilities, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol requested a new training academy.

Speaking with reporters in St. Louis on Friday, the Missouri senator also reacted to news that Merck's COVID-19 pill is highly effective at reducing the severity of the virus in high-risk patients.