Senate restores $2.5M funding for reading literacy program despite Kehoe's budget cuts

Missouri's education funding took center stage during the recent legislative meeting, with a crucial discussion surrounding the future of the state's reading literacy program. For the past four years, the program has received a significant $2.5 million allocation in the budget, a line item that has been consistently supported by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and Governor Mike Parson. However, this year, the funding faced uncertainty as Governor Mike Kehoe did not recommend it in his budget proposal.

Despite this setback, Senator Lincoln Huff, chairman of the appropriations committee, has stepped in to restore the funding in the Senate's version of the budget. He reassured stakeholders that he would advocate for the program during the upcoming budget conference, stating, "I got your back." This commitment is vital as the funding must ultimately pass through Governor Kehoe, who has the authority to line-item veto it.

To ensure the program's survival, plans are being made to meet with Governor Kehoe or his chief of staff in June. This meeting aims to emphasize the importance of the funding to the district and secure its place in the final budget.

The discussion highlighted the unique position of this funding, as no other school district in Missouri has a dedicated line item of this magnitude. The ongoing support for the reading literacy program is seen as a critical investment in the educational future of the district, with advocates emphasizing its positive impact on students.

As the legislative session progresses, the fate of this funding remains uncertain, but the commitment from key senators and the planned outreach to the governor signal a proactive approach to securing essential resources for Missouri's education system.