On Tuesday, May 7, Governor Parson signed SB 727 into law. The bill expands Missouri’s K-12 tax scholarship program, MOScholars, statewide. Currently, the program is only available in charter counties and cities with at least 30,000 residents.
The program, established in 2021, provides state tax credits for contributions to approved, non-profit Educational Assistance Organizations (EAOs). These EAOs use the contributions to award scholarships to qualifying Missouri students. SB 727 expands eligibility to more students and would increase the maximum amount of tax credits that may be awarded in a year from $50 million to $75 million.
SB 727 also includes changes to the state formula that funds public schools and would boost minimum teacher salaries. In addition, the bill would permit charter schools to open in Boone County.
“I have and always will support Missouri teachers. Since the beginning of our administration, we’ve looked at ways to increase teacher pay and reward our educators for the hard work they do, and this legislation helps us continue that progress,” Governor Parson said.