Mo. House Committee endorses $100 million increase in Foundation Formula

But the money, he says, simply isn't there.

"The $278 million was smoke and mirrors," Lair, R-Chillicothe, said. "It didn't exist."

Instead, Lair recommended as much as he thought he could: $100.5 million.

Today, the House Appropriations - Education Committee unanimously passed House Bill 2002, which outlined funding for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. It also unanimously passed House Bill 2003, which outlined funding for the Department of Higher Education. The bills now will go before the House Budget Committee.

Last month, Nixon released his fiscal year 2015 proposed budget, which included $278 million for the Foundation Formula -- half of what is needed to fully fund it.

The $100.5 million for the formula is a step in the right direction, Lair said.

"You give what you can give," he added.

Nixon's proposed $28 billion budget for the 2015 fiscal year included a $489 million increase in education at all levels. His budget is based on a revenue growth estimate -- 5.2 percent -- that exceeded the House and Senate's estimate of 4.2 percent.

It was determined that the Legislature would move forward with its estimate, which allowed for a $317 million lump sum increase for education at all levels.

In sticking with the lower revenue estimate, legislators will have to cut $214.5 million from Nixon's spending blueprint, according to figures provided by state Budget Director Linda Luebbering last month.

They also would have to cut the $94 million that Nixon’s budget spends as a result of shifting some health care costs to the federal government through Medicaid expansion.

Below are a few additional line items in the DESE funding bill, which allows for a $240.7 million increase:

-- $15 million for Foundation Transportation, as recommended by the governor.

-- $10 million for Early Childhood Special Education, as recommended by the governor.

-- $500,000 for professional development in provisionally accredited and unaccredited school districts.

-- $12.4 million for performance based assessments.

-- $10 million for internet connectivity, as recommended by the governor.

-- $28.7 million to fully fund the First Steps program.

The Department of Higher Education funding bill, House Bill 2003, has an increase of $76.8 million, which includes:

-- $12 million for the Bright Flight scholarship, as opposed to $17 million recommended by the governor.

-- $9 million for Access Missouri.

-- $43.4 million for a performance funding increase -- an average of 5 percent for 2-year and 4-year colleges based on performance. The governor recommended $42 million for an average of a 5 percent increase for 4-year colleges and an average of a 4 percent increase for 2-year colleges.

(House Bill 2002, House Bill 2003)