JEFFERSON CITY — Approximately one week after members of the General Assembly were named to the various conference committees established to work out the differences on many of the bills that make up the state’s budget, the Missouri Senate gave its final approval today (5-10) to the core measures that provide funding for the state’s most vital departments and programs.  Lawmakers were able to deliver HB 2002-HB 2013 to the governor for his approval one day before the Legislature’s constitutional deadline to pass the state’s $24 billion operating budget.

Elementary & Secondary Education

HB 2002 includes $3.009 billion for the state’s school foundation formula, $99.8 million to transport students to and from the classroom, $144.7 million for early childhood special education, $50 million for vocational education, and $15 million for early childhood development.  The total amount allocated for elementary and secondary education funding for FY 2013 is $5.4 billion.

Higher Education

The $1.2 billion allocated in HB 2003 includes $33 million for the A+ Schools Program, $13.3 million for the Higher Education Academic Scholarship Program, and $57.8 million for the Access Missouri Financial Assistance Fund.

Social Services

The Department of Social Services, which receives funding through HB 2011, includes the Family Support Division, the Children's’ Division, the Division of Youth Services, and the MO HealthNet Division, and received $8.225 billion.  This funding includes $28 million for low-income, visually impaired Missourians.

Health & Mental Health

Funded through HB 2010, the Department of Mental Health, which includes the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the Division of Comprehensive Psychiatric Services, and the Division of Developmental Disabilities, received $1.393 billion.  The Department of Health and Senior Services, also funded through HB 2010, includes the Division of Community and Public Health and the Division of Senior and Disability Services, and received $1.043 billion.

Economic Development, Labor & Insurance

The Department of Economic Development, which includes the Division of Tourism, the Missouri Housing Development Commission, and the Public Service Commission, received $363.2 million; the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations received $133.9 million; and the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration received $39.7 million.  These three departments received funding through HB 2007.

Agriculture, Conservation & Natural Resources

The Department of Agriculture, which includes the Division of Animal Health and programs for the Missouri State Fair, received $40.6 million; the Department of Conservation received $146.8 million; and the Department of Natural Resources, which includes the Division of Energy, the Division of State Parks, and the Soil and Water Conservation Program, received $592.9 million.  All three departments are funded through HB 2006.

Public Safety

HB 2008 provides funding for the Department of Public Safety, which includes the State Highway Patrol and the Water Patrol Division, the Missouri Veterans’ Commission, the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, and the State Emergency Management Agency.  The department received $559.5 million.

Revenue & Transportation

The Department of Revenue, which includes funding for the Division of Motor Vehicle and Driver Licensing, the State Tax Commission, and the State Lottery Commission, received $448.4 million.  The Department of Transportation, which includes funding for various construction and maintenance for road, rail, aviation and waterways programs, received $2.150 billion.  Both departments are funded through HB 2004.

All Other Agencies

• Office of Administration - $261.6 million (HB 2005)
• Employee Benefits - $828.2 million (HB 2005)
• This includes a 2 percent pay raise for state employees who earn up to $70,000 annually, which covers more than 54,000 employees or 97 percent of the state employee workforce.
• Corrections - $667.3 million (HB 2009)
• Elected Officials - $112.1 million (HB 2012)
• Judiciary - $194.9 million (HB 2012)
• Public Defender Commission - $39.4 million (HB 2012)
• General Assembly - $33 million (HB 2012)
• Real Estate - $149.8 million (HB 2013)

Two other appropriations bills, HB 2001 and HB 2014, were previously passed by the Legislature.  HB 2001 addresses public debt, and HB 2014, which has already been signed by the governor, is a supplemental measure that authorizes an additional $131 million in expenditures for the 2012 fiscal year.

With the governor’s signature, funding allocated for Missouri’s state departments and programs would take effect July 1.  The fiscal year for 2013 runs from July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2013.

For more information about these budget measures and other bills moving through the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov.  To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or email: newsroom@senate.mo.gov.