Missouri State Budget

This year’s budget process was criticized by Parson and lawmakers over a lack of transparency.

Speaking with reporters after groundbreaking for a new multi-agency state laboratory, Parson had two criticisms for the budget plan — it goes overboard on earmarks and shortchanges essential state services.

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.’

State Rep. Peter Merideth, a Democrat whose district includes Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, said legislation including red flag laws and raising the age to buy a gun to 21 would help prevent shootings like the one that occurred at the school nearly a year ago.

The budget includes a $2.8 billion plan to fully expand Interstate 70 to three lanes in each direction and funding for teacher raises, as well as money for public libraries.

The Senate’s plan to go beyond the $860 million initially proposed to expand Interstate 70 remained in the budget agreed to by a Senate-House conference committee Wednesday night. Other Senate positions that remained were state funding for public libraries and the elimination of anti-DEI language in the budget.

The Senate’s proposed budget is $4.2 billion more than what the House passed weeks ago. Like in the House, most of the debate in the Senate was spent over an amendment that would have inserted language against diversity, equity and inclusion.

House Budget Committee sends supplemental spending bill with 8.7% raises, increased night differential, to floor for debate.

Parson wants 8.7 % pay hikes for state workers by end of March

Gov. Mike Parson also signed off on a record $47.5 billion budget but cut a $500 million income tax credit. And he signed a series of bills primarily focused on health care policy, including one that eases visitor limitations at health care facilities.