JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Missouri Senate has passed a budget plan that would boost spending for public education.

Senators voted Thursday to approve a $27 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.

Missouri’s colleges and universities would get a $56 million increase. Gov. Jay Nixon has said would be enough to freeze tuition next year. The Senate’s plan would also prevent universities from raising mandatory fees that don’t pass a student vote.

The spending plan includes a $70 million boost to core K-12 education funding. That is roughly $15 million less than the governor proposed, and about $440 million less than what it would take to fully fund public schools under the state’s legal formula.

The budget also increases spending for Medicaid, public defenders and state employee salaries.