By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, Mo. – Majority Republicans say the Missouri Legislature's budget is balanced. And, after several austere years, it boosts spending for just about everything.
At nearly $18.9 billion, it's more than $1 billion dollars larger than the current budget. It has the biggest increase in basic school funding in four years.
The Senate Appropriations Office says, assuming net general tax revenues grow by four and a half percent, the budget is balanced with $700,000 dollars to spare.
Governor Holden Friday signed the first major budget bill. It contains money for annual state debt payments.
Chances are good the Democratic governor also will sign the rest.
His budget director, Linda Luebbering, says the budget appears to be in balance.