JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — In his first State of the State address, Gov. Mike Kehoe announced he is proposing a $53.7 billion state budget, but it includes not fully funding the state’s education system.
Gov. Mike Kehoe said he wants to cut taxes, expand child care access and increase penalties for crime, but during his 48-minute speech, he explains why he wants to make the most sizeable changes to the state’s education system. His proposal includes leaving out $300 million for the state agency, saying the foundation formula has gotten out of control.
“Throwing more money at the problem is not the solution,” Kehoe said. “We have invested over $4 billion in K-12 education and we still aren’t seeing acceptable results across the state.”
Education was the centerpiece of Kehoe’s first State of the State address, but Democrats said they would not let the state neglect the system.
“When that foundation formula remained flat for year after year after year as inflation was climbing through the roof, we didn’t have a problem with the formula, but now that the formula is starting to work, now we’re looking at it because we’re worried, we can’t afford it,” Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, D-Columbia, said.
Another major talking point in his speech was crime, asking lawmakers to put the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) under state control.
“The current status quo in St. Louis is unacceptable,” Kehoe said. “As the economic powerhouse of our state, we cannot continue to let crime kill growth in the region and drive businesses and families to move outside of our state’s borders.”
The only other police department to be under state control in the country is Kansas City, whose agency is overseen by a Board of Police Commissioners.
“Taking local control from the City of St. Louis is extremely disheartening given the fact that the people voted, the people of Missouri voted, on this issue in 2012,” Rep. Marlon Anderson, D-St. Louis, said. “The voters have spoken.”
During his speech, Kehoe did not ask lawmakers to repeal the abortion initiative; the governor instead promoted a new path by investing $4 million in resources.
“In Missouri, there are better, safer choices than abortion and we are committed to helping pregnant women know these exist, including the incredible pregnancy resources centers across the state,” Kehoe said.
But Democrats said they will push back at this idea.
“The reason is that crisis pregnancy centers pry on vulnerable women; they use religion to do so and it does not solve the problem,” House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City, said.
The governor is also asking for a 1.5% funding increase for higher education institutions.
Another ask for lawmakers is to approve $40 million to help pay for transportation, security and tourism for the FIFA World Cup in Kansas City in 2026.