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Last modified on 25 April 2017, at 11:34

Missouri state budget and finances

Note: This article, which is updated on an annual basis, was last updated in April 2016. It contains information from several sources; consequently, the currency of the information can vary from source to source.
Missouri budget and finances
Budget Policy Logo.png
General information
Budget calendar:
Annual
Fiscal year:
2017
State credit rating:
AAA (as of 2014)
Current governor:
Jay Nixon
Financial figures
Total spending (state and federal funds):
$24.1 billion (estimated for 2015)
Per capita spending:
$3,964.88 (estimated for 2015)
Total state tax collections:
$11.2 billion (2014)
Per capita tax collections:
$1,853.72 (2014)
State debt:
$76.5 billion (as of 2014)
Per capita state debt:
$12,702 (as of 2014)

Public Policy Logo-one line.png
State budget and finance pagesTotal state expendituresState debtTax policy in Missouri
In Missouri, as in other states, lawmakers and public officials are elected in part to manage the state's finances. This includes generating revenues (money coming into the state from various sources) and approving expenditures (the money spent on governmental functions and servicing state debt). State budgets are complex and fluid, as they depend on anticipated revenues and planned expenditures, which may alter over the course of a fiscal year. If revenues do not keep pace with expenditures, states generally have to raise taxes, cut services, borrow money, or a combination of the three. State budget decisions are also influenced by policy decisions at the national level, such as the Affordable Care Act or energy and environmental regulations, and issues at the local level, such as crime and the quality of education.
HIGHLIGHTS
  • Between fiscal years 2014 and 2015, total government spending in Missouri increased by approximately $949 million—from $23.2 billion in fiscal year 2014 to an estimated $24.1 billion in 2015. This represents a 3.93-percent increase.[1][2][3]
  • In Missouri in fiscal year 2014, 50.9 percent of total tax revenues came from income taxes. Sales taxes and gross receipts accounted for 43.7 percent of total state tax collections.
  • Education accounted for 27.6 percent of state expenditures in fiscal year 2015, while 35.8 percent went to Medicaid.
  • The Missouri state budget and financial data presented here come from different years because the states and the federal government report and publish the information at different times.

    Definitions

    The following terms are used to describe a state's finances:

    • Revenues come mainly from tax collections, licensing fees, federal aid, and returns on investments.
    • Expenditures generally include spending on government salaries, infrastructure, education, public pensions, public assistance, corrections, Medicaid, and transportation.
    • State debt refers to the money borrowed to make up for a deficit when revenues do not cover spending.
    • The state credit rating is the grade given by a credit rating agency based on the general financial health of the state's government and economy.
    • State funds include general and other state-based funds. A general fund is "the predominant fund for financing a state's operations." Other state funds are "restricted by law for particular governmental functions or activities."[4]
    • Federal funds are "funds received directly from the federal government."[4]
    • Total spending is calculated by adding together the totals for state and federal funds used for expenditures.

    Note: In comparing dollar amounts across the states, it is important to note that the cost of living can from state to state and within a state. The amounts given on this page have not been adjusted to reflect these differences. For more information on "regional price disparities" and the Consumer Price Index, see the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis.

    Revenues

    2014 revenues

    See also: State government tax collections by source

    The table below breaks down state government tax collections by source in 2014 (comparable figures from surrounding states are also provided to give additional context). Figures for all columns except "2013 population" and "Per capita collections" are rendered in thousands of dollars (for example, $2,448 translates to $2,448,000). Figures in the columns labeled "2013 population" and "Per capita collections" have not been abbreviated.[5]

    Compared to neighboring states, Missouri had the lowest state tax collections per capita, at $1,854.

    State tax collections by source ($ in thousands), 2014
    State Property taxes Sales and gross receipts Licenses Income taxes Other taxes Total 2013 population Per capita collections
    Missouri $29,725 $4,915,210 $564,474 $5,719,700 $11,548 $11,240,657 6,063,827 $1,854
    Iowa N/A $3,771,938 $808,047 $3,586,277 $105,577 $8,271,839 3,109,481 $2,660
    Kansas $81,267 $3,890,900 $395,454 $2,841,841 $125,019 $7,334,481 2,902,507 $2,527
    Nebraska $143 $2,303,952 $126,745 $2,430,755 $15,806 $4,877,401 1,882,980 $2,590
    United States $14,232,835 $411,414,175 $51,120,024 $357,104,785 $31,880,270 $865,752,089 318,907,401 $2,715
    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "2014 annual survey of state government tax collections by category," accessed April 4, 2016
    Missouri tax collections by source in 2014.
    Source: U.S. Census Bureau

    The table below lists 2014 tax collections by source as percentages of total collections. About 51 percent of Missouri's total state tax collections came from income taxes.[5]

    State tax collections by source (as percentages), 2014
    State Property taxes Sales and gross receipts Licenses Income taxes Other taxes
    Missouri 0.3% 43.7% 5.0% 50.9% 0.1%
    Iowa N/A 45.6% 9.8% 43.4% 1.3%
    Kansas 1.1% 53.0% 5.4% 38.7% 1.7%
    Nebraska 0.0% 47.2% 2.6% 49.8% 0.3%
    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "2014 annual survey of state government tax collections by category," accessed April 4, 2016

    Federal aid to the state budget

    See also: Federal aid to state budgets

    State governments receive aid from the federal government to fund a variety of joint programs, mainly in the form of grants for such things as Medicaid, education, and transportation. In 2013 federal aid to the states accounted for roughly 30 percent of all state general revenues. Federal aid varies from state to state. For example, Mississippi received approximately $7.5 billion in federal aid in 2013, accounting for about 43 percent of the state's general revenues, the highest percentage of all of the states. By contrast, North Dakota received about $1.5 billion in federal aid in 2013, or just 19 percent of the state's general revenues, the lowest percentage in the nation.[6]

    The table below notes what share of Missouri’s general revenues came from the federal government in 2013. That year, Missouri received approximately $10.2 billion in federal aid, 38.2 percent of the state's general revenues. Taking into consideration the state's 2013 population, this came out to about $1,686 in federal aid per capita. Figures from surrounding states are provided for additional context.[7]

    Federal aid to state budgets, 2013
    State Total federal aid ($ in thousands) Federal aid as a % of general revenues Ranking (by % of general revenues) Est. 2013 population Aid per capita
    Missouri $10,188,272 38.2% 5 6,044,171 $1,686
    Arkansas $5,689,390 32.9% 22 2,959,373 $1,922
    Iowa $5,915,221 31.9% 27 3,090,416 $1,914
    Indiana $11,192,452 33.4% 20 6,570,902 $1,703
    Kansas $3,788,962 24.9% 44 2,893,957 $1,309
    Sources: United States Census Bureau, "State Government Finances: 2013," accessed April 4, 2016
    United States Census Bureau, "State totals: Vintage 2013," accessed April 8, 2016
    Note: Per-capita figures were generated by Ballotpedia by dividing total federal aid for the state by the estimated population of that state in 2013.

    Spending

    Estimated 2015 expenditures

    See also: Total state expenditures

    The table below breaks down estimated spending totals for fiscal year 2015 (comparable figures from surrounding states are included to provide additional context). Figures for all columns except "Population” and “Per capita spending" are rendered in millions of dollars (for example, $2,448 translates to $2,448,000,000). Figures in the columns labeled "Population” and “Per capita spending" have not been abbreviated.[2]

    Missouri's total estimated government spending in fiscal year 2015 was $24.1 billion, which was the highest amount when compared to surrounding states.

    Total estimated state spending, FY 2015 ($ in millions)
    State State funds Federal funds Total spending Population Per capita spending
    Missouri $16,626 $7,495 $24,121 6,083,672 $3,964.88
    Iowa $15,429 $6,335 $21,764 3,123,899 $6,966.93
    Kansas $11,161 $3,882 $15,043 2,911,641 $5,166.50
    Nebraska $8,074 $2,908 $10,982 1,896,190 $5,791.61
    Per-capita figures are calculated by taking the state's total spending and dividing by the number of state residents according to United States Census Bureau estimates.[8]
    Source: National Association of State Budget Officers, "Examining fiscal 2013-2015 state spending," accessed April 4, 2016

    Spending by function

    Breakdown of spending by function in FY 2014.
    Source: National Association of State Budget Officers
    See also: State spending by function as a percent of total expenditures

    State spending in Missouri can be further broken down by function (elementary and secondary education, public assistance, etc.). Fiscal year 2014 information is included in the table below (information from neighboring states is provided for additional context). Figures are rendered as percentages, indicating the share of the total budget spent per category.[2]

    In fiscal year 2014, Medicaid accounted for 35.8 percent of Missouri's total expenditures.

    State spending by function as a percent of total expenditures, FY 2014
    State K-12 education Higher education Public assistance Medicaid Corrections Transportation Other
    Missouri 22.8% 4.8% 0.8% 35.8% 2.8% 8.5% 24.5%
    Iowa 16.6% 26.7% 0.5% 20.9% 2.3% 7.2% 25.8%
    Kansas 25.9% 17.6% 0.2% 22.4% 2.6% 11.4% 19.9%
    Nebraska 14.4% 23.5% 0.5% 17.6% 2.5% 7.6% 33.9%
    Source: National Association of State Budget Officers
    Note: "Other" expenditures include "Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), institutional and community care for the mentally ill and developmentally disabled, public health programs, employer contributions to pensions and health benefits, economic development, environmental projects, state police, parks and recreation, housing and general aid to local governments."[2]

    Spending trends

    Between 2010 and 2014, the share of the Missouri state budget spent on transportation decreased from 11.2 percent in 2010 to 8.5 percent in 2014. See the table below for further details (figures are rendered as percentages, indicating the share of the total budget spent per category).[2][9][10]

    Spending by function from 2010 to 2014 (as percentages)
    Year K-12 education Higher education Public assistance Medicaid Corrections Transportation Other
    2014 22.8% 4.8% 0.8% 35.8% 2.8% 8.5% 24.5%
    2013 22.8% 4.8% 0.7% 35.8% 2.7% 9.4% 23.8%
    2012 22.6% 4.7% 0.7% 35.0% 2.6% 10.4% 23.9%
    2011 23.1% 5.1% 0.8% 33.1% 2.7% 11.9% 23.4%
    2010 21.3% 5.2% 0.7% 34.4% 2.7% 11.2% 24.6%
    Source: National Association of State Budget Officers
    Note: "Other" expenditures include "Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), institutional and community care for the mentally ill and developmentally disabled, public health programs, employer contributions to pensions and health benefits, economic development, environmental projects, state police, parks and recreation, housing and general aid to local governments."[2]

    Fiscal year budgets

    Fiscal year 2016

    DocumentIcon.jpg See budget bill: Appropriation bills for fiscal year 2016

    Governor Jay Nixon announced his fiscal year 2016 budget proposal on January 21, 2015. The budget called for total state spending of about $26.11 billion, which was slightly below the fiscal year 2015 spending of $26.28 billion. The governor's proposal assumed growth in general revenue of about 3.6 percent in fiscal year 2016. The largest portion of this general revenue, 36 percent, was designated for K-12 education spending. Human services was to take up 30 percent of the general fund. The governor argued that education and health services, with special attention for mental health, were among top priorities for the state.[11]

    Governor Nixon signed the state's official budget into law on May 8, 2015, noting that the budget did make significant investments in K-12 education and higher education. The budget did reduce spending on certain social service programs and cyber security, however.[11]

    State debt

    See also: State debt

    According to a January 2014 report by the nonprofit organization State Budget Solutions, Missouri had a state debt of approximately $76.5 billion. Its state debt per capita was $12,702. In this report for fiscal year 2012, state debt was calculated based on four components: "market-valued unfunded public pension liabilities, outstanding government debt, unfunded other post employment benefit (OPEB) liabilities, and outstanding unemployment trust fund loans." The report revealed that altogether state governments faced a combined $5.1 trillion in debt, which amounted to $16,178 per capita in the nation.[12][13]

    Total 2012 state debt
    State Total state debt State debt per capita Per capita debt ranking
    Missouri $76,489,010,000 $12,702 34
    Iowa $37,783,060,000 $12,290 38
    Kansas $39,025,693,000 $13,523 28
    Nebraska $13,139,045,000 $7,081 49
    Sources: State Budget Solutions, "State Budget Solutions' Fourth Annual State Debt Report," January 8, 2014

    Taxpayer burden

    Tia logo.png

    TIA Methodology: To figure a state’s taxpayer burden or surplus, TIA looked at a state’s total reported assets minus capital assets and assets restricted by law (buildings, roads, land, etc.) to calculate “available assets,” which were then compared to the amount of money the state owes in bills, including retirement obligations such as pension plans and health care benefits for retirees.

    If the difference between available assets and total bills was positive, TIA called this a surplus; if it was negative, this was a burden. This amount was then divided by the number of individual tax returns with a positive tax liability, thus expressing the total state surplus or burden on a per-taxpayer basis.

    According to a report released in September 2015 by the nonprofit Truth in Accounting (TIA), Missouri ranked 21st best in the country in “taxpayer burden.” Rather than using per capita state debt, TIA ranked states based on what it called a “taxpayer burden,” a term that reflects “the amount each taxpayer would have to send to their state’s treasury in order for the state to be debt-free.” On the other hand, states that had sufficient resources to pay their bills were said to have a “taxpayer surplus,” which represents the amount that each taxpayer would receive if the state were to disburse its excess funds.

    Based on analysis of Missouri’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report from June 30, 2014 and actuarial reports for the state’s retirement plans, TIA concluded that $7.8 billion in promised retirement benefits were unfunded, but only $1.1 billion of these liabilities were reported on Missouri’s balance sheet. With all of the unfunded retirement benefits included in the total debt, the state had a shortfall of $6.3 billion, or a taxpayer burden of $3,400.[14]

    Public pensions

    See also: Missouri public pensions and Missouri public employee salaries

    Between fiscal years 2008 and 2012, the funded ratio of Missouri's state-administered pension plans decreased from 81.8 percent to 76.9 percent. The state paid 96 percent of its annual required contribution, and for fiscal year 2012 the pension system's unfunded accrued liability totaled $11.6 billion. This amounted to $1,952 in unfunded liabilities per capita.[15][16]

    Credit ratings

    See also: State credit ratings

    Credit rating agencies, such as Standard and Poor's, assign grades to states that take into account a state's ability to pay debts and the general health of the state's economy. Generally speaking, a higher credit rating indicates lower interest costs on the general obligation bonds states sometimes sell to investors in order to finance large-scale undertakings (e.g., road construction and other public works projects). This in turn results in lower interest costs, thereby lowering the cost to taxpayers.[17][18]

    The table below lists the Standard and Poor's credit ratings for Missouri and surrounding states from 2004 to 2014. Standard and Poor's grades range from AAA, the highest available, to BBB, the lowest.[19]

    State credit ratings, 2004 to 2014
    State 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004
    Missouri AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA
    Iowa AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AA+ AA+ AA+ AA+
    Kansas AA+ AA+ AA+ AA+ AA+ AA+ AA+ AA+ AA+ AA+ AA+
    Nebraska AAA AAA AAA AAA AA+ AA+ AA+ AA+ AA+ AA+ AA+
    Source: Stateline: The Daily News Service of The Pew Charitable Trusts, "Infographic: S&P State Credit Ratings, 2001-2014," June 9, 2014

    Economic indicators

    See also: Economic indicators by state
    Missouri's GDP increased by 0.9 percent in 2014. Click the image to view a larger version.

    Broadly defined, a healthy economy is typically one that has a "stable and strong rate of economic growth" (gross state product, in this case) and low unemployment, among many other factors. The economic health of a state can significantly affect its healthcare costs, insurance coverage, access to care, and citizens' physical and mental health. For instance, during economic downturns, employers may reduce insurance coverage for employees, while those who are laid off may lose coverage altogether. Individuals also tend to spend less on non-urgent care or postpone visits to the doctor when times are hard. These changes in turn may affect the decisions made by policymakers as they react to shifts in the industry. Additionally, a person's socioeconomic status has profound effects on their access to care and the quality of care received.[20][21][22]

    Although most residents in Missouri earned incomes at least 400 percent above the federal poverty level, the state's median annual household income was above only Arkansas' at $49,290. In September 2014, the unemployment rate in Missouri was 6.3 percent, above the nationwide rate.[23][24][25][26]

    Note: Gross state product (GSP) on its own is not necessarily an indicator of economic health; GSP may also be influenced by state population size. Many factors must be looked at together to assess state economic health.

    Various economic indicators by state
    State Distribution of population by FPL* (2013) Median annual income (2011-2013) Unemployment rate Total GSP (2013)
    Under 100% 100-199% 200-399% 400%+ Sept. 2013 Sept. 2014
    Missouri 14% 17% 32% 38% $49,290 6.4% 6.3% $276,345
    Arkansas 17% 26% 33% 24% $40,877 7.7% 6.2% $124,218
    Illinois 13% 17% 31% 39% $54,083 9.1% 6.6% $720,692
    Iowa 11% 18% 35% 36% $53,364 4.5% 4.6% $165,767
    United States 15% 19% 30% 36% $52,047 7.2% 5.9% $16,701,415
    * Federal Poverty Level. "The U.S. Census Bureau's poverty threshold for a family with two adults and one child was $18,751 in 2013. This is the official measurement of poverty used by the Federal Government."
    Median annual household income, 2011-2013.
    In millions of current dollars. "Gross State Product is a measurement of a state's output; it is the sum of value added from all industries in the state."
    Source: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, "State Health Facts"


    Budget process

    State documents and agencies
    Below are links to official Missouri budget and financial documents. The first is the state's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). A CAFR is a detailed presentation of a government entity's financial condition. This includes fiscal activities and balances for a fiscal year. The second link is to the state's relevant budget agency or office.

    The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[27][28]

    1. Budget instruction guidelines are sent to state agencies in July of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
    2. State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor in October.
    3. Agency hearings are held from January through April. Public hearings are held in January and February.
    4. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature in January.
    5. The legislature typically adopts a budget in April or May. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins July 1.

    Missouri is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[28]

    The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget. The legislature is not required to pass a balanced budget, but the governor is required to sign one.[28]

    Agencies, offices, and committees

    The following standing committees in the Missouri State Legislature deal with budget and finance matters:[29]

    1. Appropriations Committee, Missouri State Senate
    2. Budget Committee, Missouri House of Representatives
    3. Fiscal Review Committee, Missouri House of Representatives
    4. Joint Committee on Tax Increment Financing, Missouri Legislature
    5. Joint Committee on Tax Policy, Missouri State Legislature
    6. Ways and Means Committee, Missouri House of Representatives
    7. Ways and Means Committee, Missouri State Senate
    8. Appropriations - Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Missouri House of Representatives
    9. Appropriations - Education Committee, Missouri House of Representatives
    10. Appropriations - General Administration Committee, Missouri House of Representatives
    11. Appropriations - Health, Mental Health and Social Services Committee, Missouri House of Representatives
    12. Appropriations - Infrastructure and Job Creation Committee, Missouri House of Representatives
    13. Appropriations - Public Safety and Corrections Committee, Missouri House of Representatives
    14. Appropriations - Revenue, Transportation and Economic Development Committee, Missouri House of Representatives

    The Missouri State Auditor is responsible for auditing state agencies, boards and commissions; the state's court system; and counties without an auditor. Missouri's audit reports are published online.[30]

    The Missouri Treasurer manages annual state revenues, directs the state's banking services and manages the state's investment portfolio.[31]

    Transparency

    See also: "Following the Money" report, 2015

    The U.S. Public Interest Research Group, a consumer-focused nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., released its annual report on state transparency websites in March 2015. The report, entitled "Following the Money," measured how transparent and accountable state websites are with regard to state government spending.[32] According to the report, Missouri received a grade of C+ and a numerical score of 77, indicating that Missouri was "Middling" in terms of transparency regarding state spending.[32]

    Budget and finance ballot measures

    Voting on state and local government budgets, spending, and finance
    State finance.jpg
    Policy
    Budget policy
    Ballot measures
    By state
    By year
    Not on ballot
    See also: Spending and finance on the ballot and List of Missouri ballot measures

    Ballotpedia has tracked the following ballot measures relating to state and local budget and financial matters in Missouri.

    1. Missouri Budget Reserve Fund, Amendment 1 (2000)
    2. Missouri Budget Stabilization Fund, Amendment 6 (1992)
    3. Missouri Budget for Pensions to the Elderly, Issue 5 (1942)
    4. Missouri Custodian of State Funds, Amendment 6 (August 1986)
    5. Missouri Debt Limit Increase for Utilities Amendment, Issue 7 (1920)
    6. Missouri Department of Budget Proposition, Issue 5 (1922)
    7. Missouri Extend Special Park Fund, Amendment 3 (1960)
    8. Missouri Facilities Maintenance Reserve Fund, Amendment 3 (1996)
    9. Missouri General Assembly Expenses, Issue 1 (1946)
    10. Missouri Gubernatorial Budgetary Recommendations, Amendment 10 (2014)
    11. Missouri Homestead Loan Fund Amendment, Issue 7 (1918)
    12. Missouri Honorable Service Bonus, Issue 3 (1948)
    13. Missouri Increase Debt Limit for Subway Construction Amendment, Issue 5 (1914)
    14. Missouri Increase Kansas City Debt Limit for Public Utilities, Issue 2 (1914)
    15. Missouri Increase of Debt Limit for Sewer Construction Amendment, Issue 2 (1912)
    16. Missouri Investment of State Funds, Amendment 3 (1956)
    17. Missouri Public School Fund Management, Issue 1 (1944)
    18. Missouri Rainy Day Fund, Amendment 7 (1996)
    19. Missouri Raise County Debt Limit for the Building of Poorhouses Amendment, Issue 6 (1910)
    20. Missouri Revenue for School Purpose Amendment, Issue 2 (1918)
    21. Missouri School Foundation Program, Referendum 2 (October 1955)
    22. Missouri State Land Bank, Issue 2 (1916)
    23. Missouri State Treasury Reserve Fund, Amendment 3 (August 1986)

    Budget and finance legislation

    The following is a list of recent budget and finance bills that have been introduced in or passed by the Missouri state legislature. To learn more about each of these bills, click the bill title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.

    Note: Due to the nature of the sorting process used to generate this list, some results may not be relevant to the topic. If no bills are displayed below, no legislation pertaining to this topic has been introduced in the legislature recently.

    Recent news

    The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Missouri budget. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles; they are included to provide readers with the most recent news articles on the subject. Click here to learn more about this section.

    Missouri state budget and finances - Google News Feed

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    Contact information

    Missouri Division of Budget and Planning
    Room 124, State Capitol, Box 809
    Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
    Telephone: 573-751-2345

    See also

    External links

    Additional reading

    Footnotes

    1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "CPI Detailed Report Data for February 2015," accessed April 4, 2016
    2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Examining fiscal 2013-2015 state spending," accessed April 4, 2016
    3. InflationData.com, "Cumulative Inflation Calculator," accessed April 4, 2016. The cumulative rate of inflation during the same period declined -0.1 percent, calculated using the Consumer Price Indices for January 2014 and January 2015.
    4. 4.0 4.1 National Association of State Budget Officers, "State Expenditure Report: 2013-2015," accessed April 7, 2016
    5. 5.0 5.1 U.S. Census Bureau, "2014 annual survey of state government tax collections by category," accessed April 4, 2016
    6. United States Census Bureau, "State Government Finances: 2013," accessed March 21, 2016
    7. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named federalaid
    8. United States Census Bureau, "State and County QuickFacts," accessed April 4, 2016
    9. National Association of State Budget Officers, "State Expenditure Report, 2009-2011," accessed February 24, 2014
    10. National Association of State Budget Officers, "State Expenditures Report, 2010-2012," accessed February 24, 2014
    11. 11.0 11.1 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Summaries of Fiscal Year 2016 Proposed and Enacted Budgets," accessed September 22, 2015
    12. State Budget Solutions, "State Budget Solutions' Fourth Annual State Debt Report," January 8, 2014
    13. In 2016, State Budget Solutions was absorbed by the American Legislative Exchange Council.
    14. Truth in Accounting, "Financial State of the States," September 2015
    15. Morningstar, "The State of State Pension Plans 2013: A Deep Dive Into Shortfalls and Surpluses," accessed September 16, 2013
    16. The Pew Charitable Trusts, “The Fiscal Health of State Pension Plans: Funding Gap Continues to Grow,” accessed April 16, 2015
    17. Stateline: The Daily News Service of The Pew Charitable Trusts, "Infographic: S&P State Credit Ratings, 2001-2012," July 13, 2012
    18. Bankrate, "The 6 states with the worst credit ratings," September 27, 2012
    19. Stateline: The Daily News Service of The Pew Charitable Trusts, "Infographic: S&P State Credit Ratings, 2001-2014," June 9, 2014
    20. Academy Health, "Impact of the Economy on Health Care," August 2009
    21. The Conversation, "Budget explainer: What do key economic indicators tell us about the state of the economy?" May 6, 2015
    22. Health Affairs, "Socioeconomic Disparities In Health: Pathways And Policies," accessed July 13, 2015
    23. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, "Distribution of Total Population by Federal Poverty Level," accessed July 17, 2015
    24. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, "Median Annual Household Income," accessed July 17, 2015
    25. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, "Unemployment Rate (Seasonally Adjusted)," accessed July 17, 2015
    26. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, "Total Gross State Product (GSP) (millions of current dollars)," accessed July 17, 2015
    27. National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Experiences with Annual and Biennial Budgeting," updated April 2011
    28. 28.0 28.1 28.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Summer 2008," accessed February 21, 2014
    29. Project Vote Smart, "Missouri Legislative Committees," accessed March 20, 2015
    30. Missouri State Auditor, "State Auditor's Office," accessed March 18, 2015
    31. Missouri State Treasurer's Office, "Home page," accessed October 29, 2009
    32. 32.0 32.1 U.S. Public Interest Research Group, "Following the Money 2015 Report," accessed April 4, 2016