Missouri House of Representatives

Missouri Democrats filibustered for more than 11 hours before sending the bill back to the House for a final vote.

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.

The Senate has already passed similar legislation, which is awaiting House debate.

Missouri is one of 11 states with formal chapters of the State Freedom Caucus Network, which aims to push Republicans to the right on issues such as immigration, voting access and transgender restrictions. But some Republicans say that the caucus is more interested in grandstanding.

The legislation, which now goes to the Senate, would place control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department under a board consisting of governor-appointed members and the mayor of St. Louis.

The Missouri Senate gave initial approval to legislation that would end the state’s practice of seizing Social Security benefits from foster children.

The bill sponsored by Missouri Rep. Travis Smith, R-Dora, would cut the tax rate, currently 4%, to 3% on Jan. 1 and make another one percentage point cut each year until the tax is eliminated in 2028.

Proponents say the bill’s intent is to help decrease voter fraud in the state, while opponents worry it could lead to greater discrimination against noncitizens.

A lawsuit that seeks to reimburse remote workers who paid the city’s earnings tax awaits a ruling from the Missouri Court of Appeals.

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.’