Tuesday, May 12, 2005
Contact: Spence Jackson, (573)751-0290
Statement from Gov. Matt Blunt on Passage of New School Funding Formula
"I want to commend the leaders of the Missouri General Assembly for answering my call to make public education the state’s true number one policy priority. This needs-based formula strikes the right balance between rural and urban school districts and can be fully funded with revenues derived from reasonable economic growth.
"This is the right approach. We need a formula focused on the needs of a Missouri school child, not on a formula based on the taxing capacity of the school district.
"I also want to express my personal gratitude to Sen. Charlie Shields and Rep. Brian Baker for their unwavering determination to enact this new formula during this legislative session and in advance of court interdiction that could cost our state millions of dollars.
"Improving education has been and will remain my highest legislative and administrative priority and I look forward to working with this legislature in the months and years ahead to help provide every Missouri student with a world-class education."