Missouri lawmakers settle for smaller budget after veto override fails.
Missouri lawmakers did not override all of the governor’s vetoes of the state budget, accepting a budget that is $555 million smaller than they passed.
During the annual abbreviated session on Sept. 13 that focused on vetoes, the Republican-led Legislature did not try to override the majority of Gov. Mike Parson’s budget cuts.
However, there were other failed attempts by House lawmakers to protect funding increases for police, elders, and mental health programs. The Senate gaveled in briefly on the same day, but did not attempt to override Mr. Parson and restore the House’s agenda.
Although Missouri enjoyed a historic budget surplus this year, Mr. Parson noted in June that lawmakers went $1.7 billion over his budget proposal.
House members voted to override Mr. Parson’s veto of a 20 percent salary boost for Highway Patrol officers. The governor left in place the 8.7 percent increase for all state workers.
At least one lawmaker in the House admitted that despite his support for veto overrides, he voted “present” on several of them because he didn’t think the Senate would move.
In January 2025, the entire House will need to choose a new speaker and Republican members of the House of Representatives agreed to propose state Rep. Jon Patterson for the position on Sept. 12, the day before the special session. Due to term constraints, state Rep. Dean Plocher, the current speaker, cannot seek reelection.
With Republicans in control of the House, the Republican nominee is seen as a virtual lock to win.
Other Funding Boosts
Legislators also included less contentious additions in their budget, including funding for infrastructure projects, as well as pre-K education and child care, which will likely enable parents and guardians to work and presumably alleviate Missouri’s workforce shortage.
“This represents the single greatest investment into our transportation network in the state’s history,” Republican House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith said.
Legislators allocated $78 million for child care subsidies and an additional $56 million to expand access to pre-K, as requested by Mr. Parson. Public K–12 schools will receive primary funding of $3.6 billion in addition to the minimum amount required to provide busing for all students.
The funding for public colleges and universities will increase by 7 percent. But Mr. Parson reduced the $16 million allocated by legislators to reward colleges for superior performance.
“This budget addresses the big issues that concern Missourians,” Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Sen. Lincoln Hough said in a statement. “They are talking about the roads they drive on, the jobs they have and the jobs they want, caring for the aging generations and providing education and a future for the children of Missouri.”
The governor approved a grant program to gu
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...