Missouri state budget

A parent-led coalition turning Missouri's upcoming income-tax repeal measure into a public education fight, warning that state aid is already falling short.

Chiropractors had been covered by MO HealthNet since 2018, when it was estimated the change could save up to $12 million in state general revenue in the first two full years of implementation.

Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick says Missouri must bring spending in line with tax collections or risk emergency reductions to state services. Democratic lawmakers point out that tax cuts passed by the GOP-controlled legislature, including a capital gains exemption, have caused revenue to plummet.

Missouri lawmakers passed a state budget that zeroes out funding for Double Up Food Bucks, which helps low-income families use SNAP to afford more fresh produce. It comes after Republican legislators pushed to limit SNAP purchases of candy and sugary drinks in order to improve nutrition.

Missouri lawmakers cut the Imagination Library's budget for the upcoming fiscal year by more than half — from about $6 million to $2 million. The state education department said it won't have the money to enroll new children in the program after next month.

Included in the budget is $4.2 billion for the K-12 public school foundation formula, more than $376 million in school transportation dollars and $60 million for the state's private school voucher program.

The deadline for the Missouri General Assembly to approve its budget is quickly approaching. KCUR's Brian Ellison joined Up To Date to break down the latest on the budget and other last-minute agenda items for the 2026 legislative session.

The Senate version of the operating budget, totaling nearly $49 billion, now heads back to the House. However, the budget still does not fully fund the state’s K-12 schools.

The House this session passed a major overhaul of how the state funds higher education institutions. Critics say it created winners and losers among the state's universities.

Missouri House Budget Committee Chair Dirk Deaton said the amendments would be fiscally "irresponsible and a mistake." Democratic lawmakers warned that proposed cuts could jeopardize a program that puts child care in reach of low-income and foster families.

The biggest tasks left are the state budget, where Gov. Mike Kehoe has proposed a number of spending reductions, and a Republican plan to eliminate the income tax.

Missouri voters earmarked the marijuana tax money for veterans services, public defenders and substance use treatment, but Missouri budget plans would leave tens of millions unavailable.