Senate leadership is proposing a $40 million increase in the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, which provides the state’s share of the basics to operate local school districts.
The Legislature is in the process of passing the first round of more than 100 budget bills as it works to fund state agencies, universities and colleges and local school districts by the scheduled end of the session on April 24.
Under the Senate plan, introduced by Appropriations Chairman Buck Clarke, R-Hollandale, Adequate Education would receive $2.28 billion, leaving it roughly $130 million short of full funding. The House plan, which was passed last week, leaves MAEP about $170 million short of full funding.
