Senate approves $1.995 billion supplemental budget; Medicaid and schools account for largest increases

The Missouri Senate on Tuesday approved House Committee Substitute for House Bill 14, a roughly $1.995 billion supplemental appropriation bill intended to cover costs through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.

Senator from Greene moved for third reading and final passage of the substitute; after debate and questions, the Senate voted 26 ayes to 8 noes to pass the measure. The bill was presented as a stopgap to ensure state obligations are paid through the end of the fiscal year and will go to the governor for signature or veto.

The bill covers a wide range of departments and programs. "What this piece of legislation is, is the essentially, gap funding between, the the the date and time of which it's passed and the end of the fiscal year," the senator from Greene said on the floor. The sponsor said the governor proposed just over $2 billion in supplemental spending, largely for Medicaid cost growth; the House reduced that figure to about $1.995 billion in its version.

Major line items the sponsor highlighted include a $941 million continuation for Medicaid costs in the Department of Social Services (about $60 million of that…