Missouri House passes FY 26 state budget

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Today, Missouri House Republicans passed the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) state operating budget bills, fulfilling their constitutional duty to reach a final agreement on the bills by Friday, May 9, and have delivered a sustainable and balanced budget.

“House Republicans ensured Missourians received a balanced operating budget that remained fiscally responsible,” House Speaker Jon Patterson, R-Lee’s Summit, said. “I want to once again thank Budget Chair Dirk Deaton and our House budget conference committee members for their tireless work. From fully funding our K-12 foundation formula to supporting law enforcement officers, this operating budget helps make life safer, better, and more affordable for Missouri families.

“A great number of people have provided significant input into what the priorities of state government should be,” Budget Chair Dirk Deaton, R-Seneca, said. “Today, we funded those priorities, including choices in education, supporting public safety, investing in our transportation, and the health and welfare of Missouri families. Legislators have done so without breaking the bank.”

The Missouri FY26 state operating budget is approximately $52.5 billion, including funds to support:

Education

• • More than $4 billion of state funding to support public education, including an additional $500 million to fully fund the foundation formula, the largest increase in more than 20 years.
  • $376.5 million in K-12 transportation funding, including $15.2 million in new funds.
  • $50 million to expand the Empowerment Scholarship Program, designed to help give families educational choice.
  • $33.4 million for the Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Program, to improve teachers’ starting salaries.
  • $11 million increase for career and technology centers.
  • $10 million to assist charter schools with deferred maintenance costs.
  • A 3% core funding increase for state higher education institutions.

Public Safety

• • • 6.8% salary increase for Highway Patrol troopers.
    • 6.8% salary increase for state park rangers.
    • $40.5 million for public safety, transportation, and other initiatives surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Kansas City.
    • $10 million to “Blue Shield,” a new grant program for local police departments to be used for training and equipment.
    • $5 million for a new grant program for volunteer fire departments.
    • $4 million to match local funding in support of a police training facility in O’Fallon.
    • $1.25 for the anti-crime taskforce supporting “Operation Relentless Pursuit.”

Transportation

• • • • $62.7 million in new general revenue funds for highway projects across the state.
      • $27.7 million for river ports infrastructure projects.
      • $20 million in additional funding for low-volume and lettered roads in rural areas.
      • $1 million for the River des Peres flood risk and mitigation study in the St. Louis area.

Health & Family Services

• • • • $5 million for nursing incentive grants to help grow Missouri’s healthcare workforce.
      • $4 million increase for the Alternatives to Abortion program.
      • $3 million for a children’s advocacy center in southwest Missouri.
      • $2 million in additional funding for Pregnancy Resource Center grants.
      • $1.6 million to provide Missouri veterans with temporary housing.
      • $750,000 for Missouri foster children to support the goal of achieving placement with extended family members.
      • $250,000 for newborn safety incubators.

The bills now move to the governor’s desk for signature. To view the FY 2026 appropriation bills, please visit: https://house.mo.gov/budget.aspx