Education is our most important investment, and since I was elected governor I have worked to make education Missouri's top budget and public policy priority. Working with your elected representatives, we have increased education funding by more than a half a billion dollars over the last three years.

This year we have provided a $132.6 million increase to fully fund the foundation formula, a formula that focuses on the needs of Missouri students, not the taxing capacity of a district.

Today I am happy to report that we have delivered more than half a billion dollars to Missouri classrooms over the last three years. I commend the members of the General Assembly who share my commitment to ensuring our children receive the world-class education they deserve.