Missouri School Funding Under Scrutiny as Senator Rusty Black Relies on NEA Lobbyist, Raising Questions About Influence and Accountability
Missouri parents, taxpayers, and education advocates are closely watching developments in Jefferson City after Senator Rusty Black, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, openly admitted that he relies on a lobbyist from the Missouri National Education Association (NEA) as his primary expert on school finance. The revelations, detailed in the Freedom Pulse podcast by Act for Missouri, have sparked debate about influence, independence, and the future of public school funding in the state.
The Power of the Senate Appropriations Committee
The Senate Appropriations Committee oversees billions of dollars in Missouri taxpayer funds, shaping the state’s education budgets and determining funding formulas for public schools. The chair of this committee wields considerable influence over which programs receive funding, how resources are allocated, and which priorities are emphasized. Missouri’s rural and urban families alike are affected by these decisions, making transparency and expertise essential.
Recent developments highlight the stakes. The Cole County court recently struck down House Bill 2062 for violating the single subject and clear title provisions of the Missouri Constitution. HB 2062 began as a brief bill addressing local eviction moratoriums but expanded into a 75-page compilation of unrelated policies, ranging from COVID rules to backyard chicken regulations. The ruling underscores the importance of oversight, accountability, and informed legislative leadership.
“I’m the Dumbest Person in the Room” — Black’s Remark
During a committee session, Senator Black made a startling statement about his own expertise:
“I’m the dumbest person in the room.”
While self-deprecating humor is common in politics, in this context it raises questions. Black, responsible for steering the state budget and school funding formula, openly acknowledges relying on others to guide his decisions.
NEA Lobbyist Otto Fajen: Black’s Self-Described “Expert”
Black’s admissions, captured in the Freedom Pulse podcast, explicitly name Otto Fajen of the Missouri NEA as his trusted resource on school finance:
“I’m going to look behind at my expert. Otto has supplied me throughout my time here a lot of information. He’s been a very good resource for the committee.”
The NEA is a national organization advocating for policies such as DEI initiatives, gender identity programs, and equity-focused curriculum. In Missouri, a state where many families favor traditional academic priorities, the reliance on an NEA lobbyist to guide the budget committee is raising concern among parents and watchdog groups.
Dependence on Partisan Guidance
Black reinforced his reliance multiple times, stating:
“I don’t know enough about this to feel comfortable making decisions without someone explaining it to me.”
And again:
“When it comes to school finance, I listen to Otto. He knows it better than I do.”
These repeated admissions highlight a pattern of dependence on a partisan lobbyist rather than independent evaluation of complex fiscal decisions affecting Missouri schools.
How NEA Influence Shapes Policy
Missouri school funding formulas determine which programs receive resources and which priorities are emphasized. According to the podcast, Black’s deference to NEA guidance could influence:
- Funding for DEI coordinators and social-emotional learning programs
- Allocation toward gender policy compliance and curriculum initiatives
- Distribution of resources across rural and urban districts
Experts argue that whoever controls the technical explanations of the funding formula effectively controls the budget outcome.
Fiscal Watchdogs: The Role of Citizen Oversight
The Watchers from the Galleries program, highlighted in the Freedom Pulse podcast, empowers ordinary Missourians to monitor legislative proceedings, take notes, and report back to their communities. Representative Bryant Wolfin emphasized that legislators behave differently when citizens are present in committee hearings and floor sessions. Programs like this aim to counterbalance special interest influence.
Other Oversight Issues: Missouri Tax Commission
The Missouri Tax Commission has refused to fill the legislatively required ombudsman position for 16 years. According to the podcast transcript, commissioners have cited funding as unavailable, despite line items in the state budget that could cover the role. Instead, staff are allocated to other positions. Representative Dean Van Schoiack challenged this practice, pointing out that taxpayer advocacy responsibilities are being neglected:
“It hasn’t been taken serious for 16 years. It’s time it was taken seriously.”
This long-standing vacancy reflects a pattern of agencies prioritizing convenience and special interest alignment over accountability, similar to concerns raised in the education budget process.
Evergy Tariff Controversy
The Missouri Public Service Commission recently approved Evergy’s large load tariff under SB4, which some staff warned could lead to cross-subsidization, resulting in ordinary consumers paying more to benefit large industrial users. This mirrors the broader concern that decisions in Jefferson City often favor corporate or political allies rather than ordinary citizens.
Discrepancies Between Rhetoric and Action
Former Senator Bill Eigel, on Real Talk Radio, highlighted the difference between public statements and legislative actions. State Senator Brad Hudson, for example, emphasized fiscal responsibility on social media:
“The elected official must understand that every dollar government spends is a dollar that was taken from the pocket of a hardworking citizen.”
Yet, according to the podcast, Hudson voted for every appropriations bill in the session, supporting record levels of spending without corresponding cost-saving measures. The contrast underscores the importance of monitoring voting records alongside public statements.
The Stakes for Missouri Families
School funding is not just a technical issue — it determines the resources available to children in classrooms across the state. The Freedom Pulse podcast emphasizes that Black’s reliance on the NEA lobbyist affects the allocation of billions in taxpayer dollars and the programs that shape student experiences. Parents and conservative advocates worry that initiatives favored by the NEA may not align with the priorities of Missouri families, particularly in rural districts.
Citizen Involvement Makes a Difference
The Watchers from the Galleries program, mentioned multiple times in the transcript, exemplifies how citizen engagement can hold lawmakers accountable. Volunteers attend sessions, document proceedings, and share insights with their communities, increasing transparency and providing a counterbalance to lobbyist influence.
Conclusion: Missouri Needs Independent Leadership
Missouri families deserve elected officials who can analyze complex school finance data, question special interest influence, and make decisions independently. The Freedom Pulse podcast makes it clear that Senator Rusty Black’s admissions of reliance on a Missouri NEA lobbyist raise questions about who truly shapes education policy. Ordinary Missourians, empowered with information and engagement opportunities, are essential to ensuring that taxpayer dollars support priorities aligned with community values rather than the agenda of a partisan organization.
For Missourians concerned about the influence of lobbyists and the future of public school funding, the message is clear: watch the budget process closely, participate in citizen oversight programs, and hold legislators accountable for their decisions. The state’s education future depends on leadership that prioritizes families over lobbyists.
