Missouri General Assembly

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft tweeted that a job posting for a “diversity, inclusion and belonging leader” was an example of “left-wing indoctrination in the workplace” and the wrong use of taxpayer dollars. State agency leaders say inclusion and belonging programs help retain employees during a severe staffing shortage.

Both bills now go to the Missouri House, where leadership says they are a priority.

"Even though we’re in a fairly red state, we are having some more progressive policies, a little left of center policies, wanted by voters on both guns and school safety," poll director says.

Representatives from Missouri for Life, the Missouri Catholic Conference and other organizations argued that abortion is now illegal in Missouri, so funding it should be as well.

A crime prevention bill supported by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce passed through the House of Representatives this month. But most Missouri Democrats say it will do little to actually prevent crime and gun violence.

"Why are we legislating something you don't understand?" asked state Sen. Greg Razer.

The House General Laws Committee heard testimony on eight bills centered on the LGBTQ community on Tuesday. They would impose restrictions including barring transgender girls from participating in sports that align to their gender identity and from accessing gender-affirming health care.

Missouri Republicans, especially in the Senate, spent much of the past two years fighting with each other but now are hoping to band together to pass major priorities such as making it harder to pass ballot petition initiatives.

The Missouri General Assembly is already fielding legislation on college students and campus life.

Efforts to ban transgender girls from competing in women’s sports are expected to pick up momentum when lawmakers return to the Capitol in January.

Mirroring federal legislation passed on Dec. 8, Missouri Rep. Chris Sander, a Republican from Lone Jack, has pre-filed a bill to recognize marriage between two individuals.

On the first day of prefiling, both state Democrat and Republican legislators proposed measures to increase school security.