By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri lawmakers on Tuesday sent Governor Holden a budget for the state's schools. It includes a five percent increase in basic aid for the schools over what they're getting this year.
It was the first major budget bill to emerge from a committee that was working out differences between House and Senate versions of how to spend state money.
Lawmakers also approved a $1 billion budget for higher education, which includes $24 million more for colleges and universities that what they got this current fiscal year.
Bills funding transportation, state employee benefits and the Revenue Department also move to the governor's desk. They include a $1,200 yearly pay raise for most state government workers.
Another plan hikes the state's share of health insurance payments for its workers' families to 80%, from the current range of 73-78%.