The Missouri House has given first-round approval to next year’s state budget.
House members spent most of the day bringing up amendments they hoped to add on to the budget, including two attempts to expand Medicaid. Both failed, and both were sponsored by Democrat Jill Schupp of St. Louis County
“Ladies and gentlemen, when rural hospitals close, actions here today will be remembered," said Schupp. "I have a list of over 100 organizations from communities all over the state – these are all the groups that say, ‘it’s time to expand Medicaid.’”
The GOP majority also beat back attempts to de-fund charter schools and to strip $6 million they set aside to operate a proposed state park in place of the current Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
The House is expected to vote the budget bills over to the Senate on Thursday.