Cody Smith

With more than 400 line items directed at particular districts or organizations, totaling $2.1 billion, lawmakers have continued to pile extras into spending bills as the state enjoys a near-record surplus

The Wildwood attorney was appointed state treasurer in 2023. He’s running in the August primary against five other GOP candidates.

After an over 40-hour filibuster on the Senate side on the tax, the House passed it in less than 10 minutes.

A wide-ranging education bill signed by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson last week will further press a reduced education budget with mandated lunch for preschoolers and items causing anxiety about the future.

Lawmakers had until 6 p.m. Friday to pass the budget. The final product is roughly $1 billion less than Gov. Mike Parson proposed.

A lawsuit appears likely over the measure that goes into effect later this year.

Missouri Democrats and health groups warn that the ban, effective August 28, will hit low-income residents hardest, as they depend on clinics for health services and screenings.

The legislation comes after several unsuccessful attempts to stop public funds from going to abortion providers or affiliates through the budget process. The bill now goes to Gov. Mike Parson.

The Senate begins work Tuesday on Missouri’s roughly $50 billion state budget, with questions still swirling around renewing a tax that funds Medicaid and a GOP infighting that could derail the process.

Included in the budget is a 3.2% pay increase for state workers, money to fully fund school transportation and funds to improve Interstate 44. However, the House version of the budget is about $2 billion less than Gov. Mike Parson requested for the upcoming fiscal year.