Updated 3:29 p.m. March 15, 2011 with information from committee meeting.
A Missouri House committee has opted not to try to increase funding for school busing and the state's A+ scholarship program.
Some lawmakers had distributed amendments Tuesday that would have provided about $35 million of additional money for public school transportation. But the committee did not vote on any of those amendments Tuesday.
Instead, the panel stuck with Gov. Jay Nixon's recommendation of about $98 million in busing funds for the upcoming school year.
That's about one-third less than schools originally were budgeted to receive in busing aid this year, before Nixon made cuts.
The committee also took no vote on proposed amendments to provide a $5 million increase for the state's A+ scholarship program for community college students.
Original Story:
Some Missouri House members are seeking to increase funding for school busing and the state's A+ scholarship program.
In amendments distributed Tuesday, three lawmakers called for about $35 million in increases for bus transportation at public schools. Gov. Jay Nixon had recommended about $98 million in busing funds for the 2011-2012 school year.
The proposed funding increases are contained in six amendments. The House Budget Committee could approve some - or none - of those amendments.
Rep. David Sater, a Cassville Republican, also has proposed a $5 million increase for the state's A+ scholarship program for community college students.
Budget chairman Ryan Silvey, a Kansas City Republican, says he expects the panel will consider all the amendments Tuesday.
