The Missouri Senate last week approved a $22.6 billion operating budget for fiscal 2009, setting the stage for negotiations with the House in an effort to reach a final agreement before a May 9 deadline.
The differences between the Republican-controlled chambers’ budgets and Republican Gov. Matt Blunt’s versions relate to individual spending measures and are not considered dramatic. The Senate plan is about $177 million more than the one approved by the House.
The Senate version includes about $340 million that could go to fund a subsidized health insurance program for low-income residents promoted by the governor, although the House version left the funding mechanism out. The Senate rejected efforts to include funding for dental and vision benefits for adults on Medicaid. The various versions of the budget do not include any new state borrowing proposals.
