After 2024 marked one of the least productive sessions in history, the Missouri legislature will return to Jefferson City on Jan. 8 with Republicans maintaining supermajorities in the House and Senate.
Despite Missouri voters passing Amendment 3 in November, Republicans have pre-filed dozens of bills taking aim at abortion access. However, given the infighting among the Republican party during the 2024 session, incoming House Minority Leader Ashley Aune questions whether the GOP will be able to pass legislation on the matter.
“There are a ton of ideas being thrown out, but no clear idea of how to actually accomplish it. And for that reason, I just think it's not going to come to fruition,” Aune told KCUR's Up To Date.
But Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, said new leadership in Missouri’s Statehouse could be a “game changer.”
Aune said her party’s priorities are to “make life easier, cheaper, and get government out of it. That's what Democrats in Missouri want to do.”
Optimistic about the new session, incoming Senate Majority Leader Tony Luetkemeyer, a Parkville Republican, said the majority party wants to move past their internal divisions.
“We're going to keep things very focused on policy, not personality, and making sure that we keep those open lines of communication with every member of our caucus and make sure that they know that their voice is valued and being heard,” he told KCUR.
Luetkemeyer also said he believes that lowering the state income tax and public safety are among the biggest priorities of the Missouri GOP.
- Rep. Ashley Aune, Missouri House District 14
- Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville, Missouri Senate District 34
