I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all my constituents for their support, opinions, suggestions and concerns over this past legislative session. It is indeed an honor to serve the citizens of the 16th District, and my job as your state senator is a position I take very seriously.
The final week of session this year was a hectic one. In all, more than 1,500 pieces of legislation were introduced, and lawmakers scrambled to get their items passed as the final fall of the gavel approached. By the constitutional deadline of 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 17, only 162 bills were truly agreed and finally passed by both legislative chambers, and delivered to the governor.
Although the final legislative tally may seem like a small number, one must consider the fact that each bill must go through a rigorous process of introduction, reading the bills in their respective chambers, including discussion and debate, as well as hearing testimony during committee hearings for each body of the Legislature. It’s easy to see how the number of bills actually making it through the process can diminish.
The good news is that we managed to pass a fiscally responsible $24.8 billion budget which will provide increased funding for Missouri’s elementary and secondary educational systems, as well as provide for the state’s critical departments and programs.
Some of the highlights from this year’s budget include:
- $66 million in increased funding for the state’s K-12 school foundation formula, making the amount available to Elementary and Secondary Education $3 billion total.
- $25 million increase in funding for Missouri’s public higher education institutions.
- $85.5 million in federal funds for disaster funding for the state.
- $73.2 million to provide funding for Missouri’s seven veterans’ homes.
- $43.7 million increase in funding for the Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Services for utilization of their programs and services.
- $66.2 million in additional funding to maintain Missouri’s Medicaid program.
For a complete list of Missouri legislation passed this year, visit www.moga.mo.gov and click on the Truly Agreed/Finally Passed link.
Although the legislative session has ended for the year, I pledge to continue working for my district. My office will be open, and ready to address your concerns and issues. Always feel free to contact me throughout the year with any comments, questions, or issues by calling my office at (573) 751-5713 or by visiting my website at www.senate.mo.gov/brown.
Thank you for reading this and for your participation in state government.
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