Missouri senator warns FY2026 budget falls short $300 million for school funding

Senator Maggie Nirenburn, a Kansas City member of the Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee, said the proposed fiscal year 2026 state operating budget is about $300 million short of the state’s Education Foundation Funding Formula and that restoring full formula funding is her priority.

The comment came as senators continued work on the 13 measures that typically comprise the state operating budget. The fiscal year 2026 budget must be delivered to the governor no later than 6 p.m. on Friday, May 9, lawmakers said. Missouri senators were in the middle of a mid-session recess; session is scheduled to resume Monday.

"I believe the proposed budget to be $300,000,000 short on the Education Foundation Funding Formula," Nirenburn said. "My priority will be to restore the full funding that our Foundation Formula requires to be able to ensure every student is able to receive a quality education." The statement was made during remarks about the Appropriations Committee’s ongoing work on the budget.

Senator Rusty Black of Shalikavy, vice chair of the Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee, and other senators were identified as continuing to review budget materials as the committee prepares additional action. The record does not show a formal motion, vote or specific plan to close the stated shortfall during the remarks captured in the transcript.

State law and the procedural timetable require the completed operating budget be transmitted to the governor by the statutory deadline; committee members noted the typical sequence in which the Senate receives the package of measures in the spring. Reporting from the state capitol, Dean Morgan.