The Missouri Senate this week passed a bill to expand the state’s tax-credit scholarship program after adding provisions to boost public school funding and teacher retention programs. 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.
Missouri Senate Democrats originally filibustered the MOScholars expansion, but stood down after provisions were added to also benefit public schools. After negotiations, the 12-page bill expanded to 153 pages.
The bill would also permit charter schools–currently only allowed in Kansas City and St. Louis– to open in Boone County. The bill also changes the state formula that funds public schools and would boost minimum teacher salary to $40,000.
The bill now moves to the House for further debate and consideration.