Weekly Update

April 21, 2023

The Missouri Capitol Complex in full bloom this week. PHOTO CREDIT: Linda Rallo

Missouri Senate restores Parson's Pre-K funding

Since Aligned's inception more than ten years ago, early childhood education has been the cornerstone of our advocacy work. Our first policy wins included dedicated funding in Missouri's foundation formula for pre-Kindergarten programs in districts and charter schools (LEAs). This week, we were thrilled to testify in support of SB 495 (Eslinger), a bill that will expand free voluntary public pre-K to all four-year-olds who qualify for free and reduced-priced lunch (FRL), an income threshold that many states use to determine need. For reference, about half of Missouri children are FRL-eligible.

The Senate Appropriations Committee took the Governor's position this week in the State's FY 24 budget and approved $81 million in funding for the State's pre-K program in two budget lines. The first line was for $26 million currently being paid through the formula. The second line was for the $55 million increase needed to fund the expansion referenced in SB 495.

At the annual State of the State address in January, Governor Mike Parson made pre-K expansion a top priority of his administration. The additional $55 million and the proposed legislation, which removes the limit on how many FRL students an LEA can claim, will ensure an even distribution of pre-K funding across the State.

In the FY21 school year, LEAs across the State claimed 5,737 students for pre- K. However, because smaller LEAs may only receive funding for a handful of students, the 4% threshold creates a barrier. To open a new classroom, schools need a critical mass of students to make pre-K economically feasible.

Currently, over 367 of 555 Missouri LEAs cannot claim a full classroom (20) of pre-K students because the 4% calculation limit. Removing the 4% cap will allow smaller LEAs across the State to draw down enough state aid to to open and operate a pre-K classrooms.

Aligned supports a system in Missouri where every public school district has the opportunity to utilize state funding for early childhood.

To learn more about the history of pre-K funding, read our report on the State of Pre-K in Missouri.

Note: A four-year old who enrolls in Pre-K in the 2023/24 school year, would graduate in 2036.

Missouri's Second Lady Claudia Kehoe (left), pictured with Department of Revenue Director and former Missouri Legislator Wayne Wallingford, reported that this year's Legislative Softball Tournament raised $15,000 for the Samaritan Center. PHOTO CREDIT: Twitter @ClaudiaLKehoe

Missouri Update

House and Senate decided to play ball this week

Despite a couple of major interruptions, the House and Senate had a productive week in passing legislation. On Tuesday, both chambers adjourned early to participate in the annual legislative softball charity event. On Wednesday, the Senate gaveled in and out to permit the Senate Appropriations Committee to resume marking-up the FY 2024 fifty billion-plus budget bills. The House decided not to reconvene for an afternoon session on Wednesday.

We have reached the point in the session where each chamber waits for the other to pass its bills. This week the House Third Read and sent to the Senate 27 House bills, and the Senate Third Read and sent to the House 10 Senate bills. Before adjourning yesterday, Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden assigned an additional 43 House bills to Senate committees. Senate committee chairs also reported in a couple of dozen House bills that committees passed, setting the stage for debate on House bills next week.

The House has sent the Senate 152 bills, resolutions, and joint resolutions for consideration, while the Senate has only sent 74 bills, resolutions, and joint resolutions to the House for consideration.

The remaining issues include initiative petition reform, open enrollment, transgender care, sports betting, and crime. However, 14 more working days remain for the 2023 legislative session, and the pressure is mounting to race the clock to usher priorities across the finish line.

House Activity this Week

Intern & Apprenticeship Tax Credit - On Monday the House perfected HB1038, sponsored by Rep. Brad Christ (R-St. Louis Co), which creates a $1,500 tax credit for eligible businesses employing a college student or graduate. The bill was passed on Thursday by a vote of 108-31.

Funding for Children in State Custody - On Monday the House perfected HB716, sponsored by Rep. Ann Kelley (R-Lamar), which requires the state to compensate psychiatric facilities for educational expenses related to children in their care. On Thursday the House passed the bill by a vote of 156-0.

Athletic Competition Participation by Gender - On Monday the House passed HB183, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Burger (R-Benton), which prohibits participation by genetically male athletes in female-designated athletic competitions in public schools by a vote of 104-46.

Public Employee Pay Incentives - On Monday the House perfected HB471, sponsored by Rep. John Black (R-Marshfield), which creates certain incentives for state agencies employees. During debate the bill was amended by Rep. Ed Lewis (R-Moberly) to include the differentiated pay scale for teachers in hard to staff schools or subjects. The House bill was later passed 107-17.

Antibullying Requirements in Schools - On Wednesday the House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee heard HB1087, sponsored by Rep. Tricia Byrnes (R-Wentzville), which directs DESE to develop a model policy for antibullying which restricts the standard of "zero tolerance" for students who are actively bullied or abused.

Gene Therapy - On Wednesday afternoon the House Emerging Issues Committee sent HB1169, sponsored by Rep. Holly Jones (R-Eureka), down in flames. As written, the bill proposed to require any consumer product sold in the state which potentially included materials with genetic alteration, mRNA, immunological modification, or vaccination to include a label designating the product as a "Potential Gene Therapy Product." After introduction, members of the Committee received numerous threats and levels of harassment on social media, by email, and through phone calls from anti-vaccine activists who demanded the bill be passed.

Senate Activity this Week

Drag Showdown - On Monday, Sen Mike Moon (R-Lawrence Co), attempted to amend an omnibus crime and public safety bill under consideration on the Senate floor to include a prohibition on minors viewing or having access to adult cabaret shows deemed of prurient interest. In response, Sen. Greg Razer (D-Kansas City) offered an amendment to Moon's amendment which would exempt individuals 12 years and older who were married. Over the weekend, Sen. Moon was quoted by several outlets as having said he knew "couples who had been married at the age of 12 and were still married." After both amendments were withdrawn the bill was passed 25-9.

Child Custody Arrangements - On Thursday the Senate passed SB129, sponsored by Sen. Rick Brattin (R-Cass Co), which requires child custody arrangements to begin at 50/50 in divorce proceedings by a vote of 23-10.

Free School Lunch - On Tuesday the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee heard SB321, sponsored by Sen. Angela Moseley (D-St. Louis Co), which requires, subject to appropriation, the state to compensate school districts for the cost of providing free school meals to students between 131-180% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

State Aid for Early Childhood Programs - On Tuesday the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee heard SB495, sponsored by Sen. Karla Eslinger (R-Ozark), which modifies the calculation of state aid to public school districts for the purpose of providing early childhood education.

Medical Education Grant Program - On Thursday the Senate Government Accountability Committee heard HB1162, sponsored by Rep. Kent Haden (R-Mexico), which creates the Medical Education Grant Program to expand residency slots and incentivize service in rural and underserved communities in the areas of Pediatrics, Mental Health, Dentistry, and other specialties as designated by the Department of Health and Senior Services.

Budget Update

The Senate Appropriations Committee convened this week and completed crafting the Senate version of the FY 2024 budget. The committee worked over two days and added more than $3 billion to the House-approved budget. The House-approved version of the budget had a spending plan of $45.6 billion, which was $2 billion less than the budget proposed by Governor Mike Parson at $47.7 billion. The Senate will debate the fourteen spending bills next week, setting the stage for negotiations with the House to work through the differences between the two chambers before the constitutional May 5th deadline.

Some of the more significant items added Wednesday were $300 million for the Department of Mental Health to build a new psychiatric hospital in Kansas City and $461 million to increase the rates paid to personal care workers who assist those with developmental disabilities. The committee also restored $4.5 million for public libraries, continued the pay plan and mileage increases for state employees, restored the $82 million Governor's proposal to increase pre-K programs in school districts, restored the full 7% inflationary funding for higher education institutions, and increased funding to many TANF programs.

The largest item the Senate included in the budget is the expansion of I-70. The committee has proposed spending $1.4 billion in general revenue and financing additional funding through bonds. The bonding for the other half of the project's cost would be at a maximum of 15 years, with an annual payment of roughly $132 to $135 million a year, which the committee also included in the FY 2024 budget.

The Senate also removed the controversial diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) language present in the 13 spending bills for state operations from the bills and the supplemental appropriation bill. Committee members stated the uncertainty associated with the language was the cause, and none of the fourteen members of the committee objected or tried to narrow the language.

The House also finished crafting its version of the FY 2024 Capital Improvement bills this week. The four bills will add about $2.4 billion to the state spending for FY 2024. There were few major changes on the House floor. One of the larger amendments added was $5 million from the Parks Fund for work on the Rock Island Trail and barely passed by a 72-71 vote. Voice votes soundly defeated attempts by Democratic members to tap into any funding for I-70.

Tidbits

Jefferson County students taste-test future school meal offerings, report "nothing is disgusting"
The St. Louis Business Journal says the recreational adult use cannabis market has fueled job growth in high-paying jobs
A second hospital for a rural-Missouri community challenges the norm
St. Louis County hopes artificial intelligence (AI) can help alleviate 911-wait times
The state of Missouri launched a new suicide prevention and crisis intervention website associated with the 988 hotline
New Mexico's early childhood education program is a model other states should follow
Taking tests are optional for MU campuses
Missouri first to join workforce reentry program

Upcoming Hearings / Action

The Senate will take up the FY24 state operating budget
The Senate Appropriations Committee will consider the House-approved ARPA spending bill
The Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee will hear HB497, sponsored by Rep. Ed Lewis (R-Moberly), an education omnibus bill

Read our full legislative report for the week of April 21th.

Status Report - Aligned Priorities

This week the Senate heard a bill to expand Pre-K to all free- and reduced-lunch 4-year olds!

Early Childhood

The Senate Committee on Education and Workforce Development heard SB 495 (Eslinger), a bill that expands the current funding provisions for Pre-K to allow districts and charter schools to provide voluntary, free to all free- and reduced-lunch students on April 18th. Testifying in support: Aligned, MO State Teachers Association, MO NEA, The Opportunity Trust, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and MO DESE testified in support. There was no opposing or informational testimony presented.

HB 870 (Shields), a bill that includes multiple child care related tax credit provisions, was heard in the Senate Committee on Governmental Accountability on April 20th.

The Senate Committee on Governmental Accountability also amended the tax credit language from HB 870 onto HB 668 this week.

Teacher Recruitment and Retention

HB 497 (Lewis), the public education omnibus bill with numerous provisions related to teacher recruitment and retention and the Aligned differentiated pay priority language will be heard in the Senate Committee on Education and Workforce Development on April 25th at 8:00 a.m.

HB 471 (Black) a bill related to employee incentive programs received the differentiated pay language through a floor amendment in the House. That bill will also be heard next week in the Senate Committee on Education and Workforce Development.

School Finance

HB 901 (Pollitt), a bill that allows the Governor to transfer any excess revenues into an education stabilization fund, will be head in House Rules Regulatory Oversight on Monday at 12:30 p.m.

Read the update for all Aligned Missouri priorities.

Kansas Update

Spring Revenue Estimates come in above fall estimates…again!

Still on spring break, Lawmakers were eager to see the state revenue estimates released on Thursday, 4/20. The latest revenue estimates released this week increased fiscal year 2023 totals by $128.2 million (1.3%) over the fall estimate. In addition, 2024 fiscal year estimate were increased $109.3 million (1.1%). These increases equate to a state budget surplus in 2023 of $1.9 billion and $3.0 billion in 2024.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, was quick to comment on the need for responsible tax cuts given the over $4 billion surplus expected in the next two fiscal years. “The updated revenue estimate just makes it more of a no brainer,” he said.

Governor Kelly has SB169 sitting on her desk which would cut taxes by $302.7 million in 2024, $569.3 million in 2025 and $480.8 million in 2026. This “flat tax” bill would move the state to a 5.15% flat tax, increase the standard deduction based on inflation, cut taxes on Social Security income while eliminating the sales tax on groceries starting this January.

The Governor vetoes three bills and signs 14 this week!

One of the bills Aligned has been closely monitoring was on Governor Laura Kelly’s list of vetoed bills. Senate Sub for House Bill 2344 would significantly change the regulatory requirements for childcare facilities and care workers in Kansas. Proponents hoped to increase access by loosening the training requirements, increasing student to child ratios and allowing younger workers in the space.

The Governor and many childcare advocates opposed the legislation on the grounds that it would undermine current safety and security provisions in place for the welfare of the child and the providers. Instead, opponents asked that a task force of early learning professionals be leveraged to design the solutions.

John Wilson, president and CEO of Kansas Action for Children said, “Everyone agrees that more must be done to solve the childcare crisis but the solution isn’t to rush through legislation that hasn’t been informed by the child care community and those who understand the industry best.”

Both sides agree that the childcare crisis across the state needs to be addressed. The bill passed 77-46 in the House and 21-17 in the Senate, both short of the two-thirds majority needed for an override.

Sunflower State Journal outlined the other two bills vetoed and the 14 bills signed by the Governor this week here .

Pictured left to right are Dr. Stacey Preis, Garrett Webb and Linda Rallo.

Time out for spring

Our Missouri crew dipped out of the Capitol this week to enjoy some Thai food and a few minutes in the spring sunshine. One fun fact about Thai food is that it's all about balance..."a range of different salty, sweet, sour, spicy and bitter ingredients."

We can promise that state level policy-making has all those fun flavors.

Have a wonderfully balanced weekend!