Cody Smith

The Senate still could include the increase when considering its version of the budget.

Missouri House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith cut the time set aside for amending his spending plan but said the final product is ‘largely the same.’

The annual state budget and a tax that funds the bulk of Missouri’s Medicaid program are two things that must pass this session.

Under the proposed legislation, no public funds would be given to any clinic that provides abortions or its affiliate. Similar legislation has stalled in the Senate.

Missouri State Treasurer Vivek Malek contends economic headwinds, political actions of Chinese government make the country a bad investment.

Despite the Missouri House voting to overturn multiple budget vetoes, the Senate did not take any further action, leaving those vetoes intact.

The Carthage Republican has chaired the House Budget Committee since 2019.

House leadership says the speaker of the House did not follow Democrats’ recommendations for budget conference appointees.

Senate Appropriations Chair Lincoln Hough said after speaking with departments, businesses and vendors, he recommended removing the anti-diversity, equity and inclusion language. The committee still must pass the budget bills before they can make it to the Senate floor.

The Senate plan would spend nearly $2.8 billion to expand the entire interstate to three lanes each way.