The Missouri House on Thursday truly agreed and finally passed a bill to expand the state’s education tax-credit scholarship program. SB 727, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Koenig (R-Manchester), would expand 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 would expand 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 included 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.
Rep. Phil Christofanelli (R-St. Peters), who handled the bill in the House, stated that the final product represented diverse interests in education. “We’re all going to take a step together,” Christofanelli said. “This is the most substantive investment in public education that this state has ever seen.”
The bill passed 82-69, with three Democrats joining 79 Republicans in favor. SB 727 now heads to Governor Mike Parson for his signature. Thank you to all those who responded to the MCC Action Alert by contacting your representative!