Marlene Terry

The legislation, which has passed the Missouri House and died in the Senate the past few years, would allow public school students to enroll in a participating school district that they do not reside in.

Instead of speaking on the billions of dollars within the Missouri budget, House Democrats repeatedly spoke out against language added to each bill that prohibits spending on anything associated with diversity, equity and inclusion. That language is expected to be stripped out in the Senate.

Schools would be able to opt into the program and accept new students from other schools, though they would not be able to stop kids from leaving. The legislation creates a 3% cap on a school's population being able to transfer out.

The Missouri House passed legislation Thursday allowing the governor to appoint a special prosecutor in cities like St. Louis. But Republican leadership cut off debate on the bill before several Black Democrats from the St. Louis area were able to speak.

Democratic Rep. Marlene Terry says she ran for chair of the caucus because it’s an opportunity to speak with others in the legislature on accessing equal opportunities for Missourians.