Rusty Black

Included in the budget is $4.2 billion for the K-12 public school foundation formula, more than $376 million in school transportation funding and $60 million for the state's private school voucher program.

On Thursday, the House rejected the Senate version of the operating budget which will send it to a conference committee to work out a compromise.

The House this session passed a major overhaul of how the state funds higher education institutions. Critics say it created winners and losers among the state's universities.

One of the changes made on the Senate side includes removing almost $15 million toward improving the Missouri Capitol.

At the outset of the 2026 legislative session, which began on Jan. 7, Senator Rusty Black spoke with KXCV News about his legislative and budgetary priorities and his approach to school funding.