http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/rowdybudge_879.mp3
Missouri lawmakers gave the state's $19 billion budget first round approval Tuesday after hours of debate that got a little rancorous at times. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.
THE DEBATE GOT RANCOROUS AT TIMES AS HOUSE DEMOCRATS VOICED OPPOSITION TO THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET PROPOSAL'THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN FLOOR LEADER JASON CROWELL LET HIS FRUSTRATION OUT WITH A BRONX CHEER.
CROWELL ALSO MADE NOISES WHILE DEBATING DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BURNETT.
DESPITE ALL THE HOOTING AND HOLLERING, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS MANAGED TO STATE CLEARLY THEIR POSITION ON THE BUDGET.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST FIGHTS CENTERED ON FUNDING FOR EDUCATION.
CROWELL SAID THE REPUBLICAN-BACKED BUDGET PLAN IS GOOD FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
BUT IT'S NOT GOOD NEWS FOR THE TOP HOUSE DEMOCRAT, RICK JOHNSON.
HE SAYS THE BUDGET PROPOSAL DOESN'T PROVIDE ENOUGH FUNDING FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PLAN DEPENDS ON A HALF A BILLION DOLLAR TAX INCREASE PACKAGE.
REPUBLICANS SAY BECAUSE THE ECONOMY IS IMPROVING, LAWMAKERS CAN INCREASE EDUCATION FUNDING WITHOUT HIGHER TAXES.
CROWELL SAYS THAT SHOULD MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY.
BUT RICK JOHNSON REJECTED THE NOTION THAT TAXES AREN'T GOING UP.
DURING DEBATE TUESDAY, HE NOTED THAT MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED AND TEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS ASKED VOTERS TO APPROVE HIGHER TAXES.
IN ADDITION TO DEALING WITH FUNDING FOR ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, LAWMAKERS DISCUSSED HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING.
DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS CITED TUITION INCREASES AT STATE UNIVERSITIES AS A SIGN THAT THE STATE HAS FAILED TO MAKE A COLLEGE EDUCATION ACCESSIBLE TO ALL STUDENTS.
DEMOCRAT YVONNE WILSON SAYS IT'S WRONG TO REDUCE STATE FUNDING AND PLACE A HIGHER BURDEN ON STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
BUT ONCE AGAIN, IT WAS JASON CROWELL WHO STOOD TO DEFEND THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET PLAN.
HE CONTENDS THE UNIVERSITIES ARE USING REDUCED STATE FUNDING AS AN EXCUSE TO STICK IT TO STUDENTS IN THE FORM OF HIGHER TUITION.
WILSON TOLD CROWELL REPUBLICANS ARE ON THE VERGE OF PRICING PEOPLE OUT OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
ONCE THE BUDGET GAINS HOUSE APPROVAL, IT MOVES TO THE SENATE.
I'M MISSY SHELTON FOR KSMU NEWS.