Legislative Advocacy
2026 MARE Legislative Platform
School Finance:
MARE Supports:
A stronger state commitment to the funding of public education including continued full funding of the Foundation Formula, including a revision to increase the SAT as needed; full funding for the Small Schools Grant; continued full funding of School Transportation at 75% of allowable costs; Reformation of Missouri's tax credit programs by establishing caps on each tax credit, inserting sunset dates on all tax credits, subjecting tax credits to the budget process, and eliminating some tax credit programs altogether; legislation removing school districts from prevailing wage requirements; and legislation increasing the bonding capacity for school districts to 20% and allowing district voters to approve bond issues with a simple majority vote.
MARE Opposes:
New state mandated programs or modifications to existing programs without appropriate state funding to implement or maintain such programs, and tax reforms or any tax modification (reduction) legislation that reduces the funding available to provide for state programs and services.
School Governance:
MARE Supports:
Local control of school districts by the elected BOE members and their authority to make decisions for their schools including decisions on the 4-day versus 5-day school week, school start date, and best enrollment options for their students in regard to virtual education options versus traditional enrollment options.
MARE Opposes:
State driven consolidation of any school district, State enacted Open Enrollment options, State Voucher Programs, State driven Tuition Tax Credit Programs, Expansion of Charter Schools and the Use of public funds for non-public schools or education purposes.
Specific MARE Issue:
MARE supports legislation/amendments that will secure funding for the organization (state budget line item – minimum of $25,000.00) to offset costs to provide the state mandated school board training services for our rural Missouri school districts.