Missouri Judge Upholds $50 Million MOScholars Funding, Tosses Union Lawsuit
A Missouri Supreme Court appeal by the teachers union will test the state’s shift to using general revenue for private school scholarships.
Overview
- Cole County Circuit Judge Brian Stumpe issued a 57-page ruling that the legislature can fund MOScholars with general revenue because state law does not expressly prohibit it.
- The court found the Missouri National Education Association lacked standing and dismissed the case with prejudice.
- The decision keeps roughly $50–$51 million flowing to scholarship accounts that help more than 6,000 students pay for tuition, tutoring, and therapy.
- Stumpe warned that cutting off payments midyear could leave families without expected aid and financially liable to schools and service providers.
- The Missouri NEA said it will appeal to the state’s high court, arguing the budget appropriation for scholarships is unconstitutional.