Missouri Legislature approves $84M more for K-12 basic aid

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri lawmakers have passed a measure granting $84 million more in basic aid to K-12 public schools.

But the spending plan passed Thursday by the House and Senate still falls nearly $400 million short of what's needed to provide full funding.

Also passed Thursday was a measure that ups the amount of performance funding for the state's colleges and universities. The $12 million increase is 1.3 percent more than what schools received this year, but is less than the more than $27 million in additional funding that senators wanted.

The bills now head to Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, who can veto spending for specific programs or services.