Missouri House Passes Balanced Budget

The Missouri House of Representatives this week approved a $46.4 billion balanced state operating budget for fiscal year 2025, which would begin in July. Twelve appropriation bills in the budget fully fund the state's school foundation formula, increase funding for higher education institutions, provide additional support for law enforcement and school safety, and alloca funds for nursing homes and child care providers.

8th District State Representative Josh Hurlbert

8th District State Representative Josh Hurlbert says the House plan cuts nearly $2 billion from the governor’s initial proposal, while placing the primary emphasis of this year's budget on bolstering the state's infrastructure, including Missouri’s aging roadways.

“Some of the key highlights of the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget are as follows:

- $100 million for rural lettered routes for the third straight year

- $53 million for improvements at the merger of I-29 and I-35 in Clay County

- $8 million for the National Guard and Operation Lone Star to defend the southern border

- $7.5 million for an aircraft maintenance facility at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base and $28 million for other renovations and upgrades

- $120.6 million increase to once again fully fund the K-12 education foundation formula

- $14 million increase to fully fund school transportation

- $29 million for a grant program to raise teacher baseline salaries to $40,000

- 2% increase for colleges and universities core funding

- 3.2% pay raise for state employees

- $2 million for grants to crisis pregnancy resource centers to support mothers in need

- $1.5 billion toward expanding broadband access

- Over $57 million in port infrastructure projects”

Hurlbert also reports that the House-passed budget proposed a robust plan to improve Missouri's transportation infrastructure, recognizing its importance for interstate commerce.

“Missouri has over 33,000 miles of state highways, but around 5,500 miles, including 1,385 miles of interstates, bear 77% of the traffic and require attention,” said Hurlbert.  “The plan aims to widen and reconstruct these crucial roadways to ensure long-term viability and safety without burdening future generations and not forgetting our rural lettered routes. On top of last year’s historic investment of $2.8 billion to widen I-70 to six lanes across the entire state, an additional $727 million was allocated this year to widen I-44 between St. Louis and Springfield in congested spots.”

The now-passed balanced state budget preserves a significant rainy-day fund of $1.8 billion, which is crucial for maintaining fiscal responsibility, Missouri’s AAA bond rating (higher than any of our neighbors) and ensuring long-term economic stability for Missourians. It now heads to the Senate for further deliberation and must be passed prior to the May 10 constitutional deadline.

Brian Watts contributed to this article.

Chamber Hiring Fair This Week

The Kearney Chamber of Commerce is hosting its fourth annual Hiring Fair on April 11, at the Kearney United Methodist Church.

The Hiring Fair is open to all employers who have unfilled staff positions or anticipate having open positions soon. It is also open to job seekers who are actively looking for gainful employment with local businesses.

The Hiring Fair provides an opportunity for businesses to actively interview and hire potential employees on the spot, as well as for job seekers to learn about career opportunities.

The fourth annual Hiring Fair will be held at the Kearney United Methodist Church, at 1000 E 92 Hwy, on Thursday, April 13, from 3 – 6 pm. Participating businesses include: Cosentino's Price Chopper, Watkins Woolen Mill State Park, City of Kearney, Sutton Outdoor LLC, Clay County Parks, Kearney School District, Shanks Heating and Cooling, Clay County Savings Bank, State of Missouri Dept of Corrections, Septagon Construction, and Sam’s Club.

For more information contact the Chamber of Commerce office at 816-628-4229 or by email at Stacie@KearneyChamber.org.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.