By Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio
Jefferson City, Mo. – The Missouri House spent most of the day debating the state budget for next year.
Ten of the 13 budget bills were approved today, including the bill for the state's K-12 school system. It does not fully fund the foundation formula for the state's public schools, although funding was restored for a program that supplements pay for teachers who take on extra duties.
But State Representative Bryan Stevenson (R, Webb City) warns that one year from now Missouri will have even less money to work with.
"Next year you will have to reduce the budget by $900 (million) to a billion dollars off the current projections, so you need to be aware that a lot of the things we funded this year we will not be able to fund next year because the money simply will not be there," Stevenson said.
House Democrats argue that Republicans are only focusing on making cuts and not looking for ways to capture more revenue.
The House will take up the remaining three budget bills Thursday.