Show-Me State Times

The Missouri General Assembly has approved a state budget that emphasizes investments in high-tech manufacturing and workforce development. The fiscal year 2026 budget, amounting to approximately $53 billion, was passed before the constitutional deadline on May 9.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry played a key role in advocating for these investments. The budget allocates $6 million to the Credential Training Program, which reimburses employers who support their workers in obtaining short-term certificates or credentials in fields critical to Missouri's economy, such as cybersecurity and nursing.

Additionally, the budget includes $15 million aimed at attracting and expanding high-tech manufacturing within the state. This funding targets the production of semiconductors and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), addressing concerns over dependence on foreign-sourced products.

The budget is now awaiting Governor Mike Kehoe's signature.

Pro-business initiatives outlined in the budget include:

- Full funding for K-12 education foundation formula: $4.3 billion

- Support for K-12 transportation: $376.6 million

- Pre-K grants to child care facilities: $16.2 million

- Pre-K grants to schools: $55.8 million

- Baseline teacher salary set at $40,000: $66.8 million

- STEM career awareness programs: $370,000

- Computer science education funding: $450,000

Higher education and workforce development receive attention with:

- A 3% increase in funding for community colleges and universities

- Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant program: $8 million

- Cost-free computer education training: $1 million

Infrastructure projects are also included:

- I-70 expansion bond payments: $136 million

- I-44 expansion efforts: $44 million

- Bridge construction and repair initiatives: $45.6 million

Economic development efforts are supported through various allocations:

- Business recruitment and marketing initiatives: $9 million

- St. Louis economic revitalization and apprenticeships support: $6.1 million

Public safety receives attention with funding for re-entry programs for offenders ($8.3 million) and grants to public safety officers ($16.9 million).

In health care, the budget supports the construction of four new behavioral health crisis centers in high-demand areas with an allocation of $1.7 million.