By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri Governor Bob Holden says he supports the more than 200 school districts that are suing the state over school finance issues.
Holden, a Democrat, says the Republican-led Legislature hasn't provided enough school funding. As a result, he says districts had no choice but to go to court.
The districts claim the funding formula doesn't provide enough money for schools and distributes the money unfairly.
The formula gives more money to wealthy districts and less to poor ones, but a wide disparity in spending still exists. Plus, the formula has been under-funded because of a tight budget in recent years.
Also today Holden said he'll again propose measures, including increasing tobacco taxes, to provide money for education.