By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – State House members have approved an
education budget that cuts basic state aid for public schools.
The budget for the next fiscal year would trim more than $160 million from the amount of basic aid that public schools
were appropriated this year.
It also would cut state aid for such things as busing, gifted-student programs and early childhood programs.
The education budget now goes to the Senate, which must give its final approval before sending the bill to Governor Holden.
Holden watched much of today's education debate from the House gallery. He criticized the cuts for potentially laying off teachers and reducing courses for students. But Holden stopped short of
threatening to veto the bill.