Missouri state budget

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.

Gov. Mike Kehoe is proposing to cut funding for transportation from $6.7 million to $1.7 million, an 85% decrease. Missouri is already one of the lowest states for per capita spending on public transit.

Gov. Mike Kehoe proposes the state cut spending for Missouri's transportation industry to $1.7 million, down from the $6.7 million allocated for the current fiscal year. Advocates say the cuts will have "very real and tangible repercussions."

One of the changes made on the Senate side includes removing almost $15 million toward improving the Missouri Capitol. Now the legislation returns to the Missouri House for a vote.