Governor Parson Signs State Budget

On Monday, Governor Parson signed the state's $30 billion budget for the fiscal year that will begin on July 1. Because the state's net revenue had increased 1.59% last year, the governor did not issue any line-item vetoes, meaning lawmakers won't have to debate overriding any budget decisions in a veto session this fall.

The budget includes many of Governor Parson's priorities that he outlined during his State of the State address in January. This includes $10 million in lottery funds directed to "Fast Track" scholarship programs for students 23 and older. State workers are poised to receive a 3% raise, and Department of Corrections employees will receive additional pay raises in an effort to retain employees. Also included in the budget is a $61 million increase in K-12 funding, and $50 million for bridge repairs.

About one-third of the state's budget is funded by state general revenue, one-third is made up of other funds, and the rest comes from the federal government.