By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO. – Legislators voted for Missouri's public-school funding plan largely along party lines this spring.
And it appears that on the whole, districts with Republican representation
fared better.
The new plan is expected to add $800 million a year in state aid to schools when fully phased in during the 2012-2013 school year.
The Associated Press conducted an analysis of funding projections per school district.
It found that those represented mostly by Senate Republicans saw greater benefit than those represented by Democrats.
The lawmaker who spearheaded the plan says there's nothing political about it.
Senate Majority Leader Charlie Shields said the numbers show districts needing the most help are getting the biggest increases, mostly rural areas.
Few Missouri Democrats represent rural areas.