2023 Missouri Legislative Session

Kim Gardner saga tops the list of the year’s biggest political news in the St. Louis region.

Republican Scott Fitzpatrick was sworn in as state auditor in January after serving as state treasurer and House Budget Committee chairman.

Waller served as county executive and county clerk in Jefferson County before successfully running for a House seat last year.

The Pleasant Hill Republican represents the 55th House District, which takes in a portion of Cass County.

The O’Fallon Republican served a term in the Missouri House in the late 2010s before returning earlier this year.

The St. Louis County Democrat wrapped her first year representing Missouri’s 24th Senate District, which takes in cities like Kirkwood, Sunset Hills, Valley Park and Creve Coeur.

Missouri state Rep. Jim Murphy, R-St. Louis County, says there could be options to eliminate the 1% earnings tax on anyone who lives or works in St. Louis or Kansas City.

State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick says a review of the Children’s Division, which has struggled for years to recruit and retain staff, may not happen right away because of staff constraints in his own office.

Officials say tackling St. Louis and St. Louis County’s more than 6,000 abuse and neglect cases will require hiring more investigators.

Lawmakers convene on Wednesday for the annual veto session, where they will have the opportunity to override any of the vetoes issued by Gov. Mike Parson this year.