Missouri government

Unity among Republicans means the legislative session is shaping up to be more productive compared to previous years. Here's an update on the bills making their way through the Statehouse.

Sports betting still isn't available in Missouri months after voters legalized it. Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins said there was not any reason to fast-track rules that could have made gambling available sooner than this fall.

Gov. Mike Kehoe's executive order directs all state agencies to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, mirroring an order by President Trump. It also bars state funds from going towards such programs.

Andrew Bailey was questioned about his lawsuit against Starbucks that claims diversity hiring initiatives have caused higher prices and longer waits. “I’m just curious if white-served coffee tastes a little bit better,” one Ferguson Democrat asked.

One of the measures, Senate Bill 74, would bar cities and counties from imposing their own open carry firearm restrictions. Another includes a provision that someone who kills another person with a gun in self-defense would be presumed to be acting reasonably, removing the burden of proof.

Proposition A, which will increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour by January 2026, was approved by 57% of voters in November. Now, Missouri's legislature is considering bills that would exempt more businesses or leave out certain employees.

Missouri lawmakers banned transgender student athletes from playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity, and restricted transgender minors from accessing gender-affirming health care like hormone treatments. But the current laws expire in August 2027.

Missouri Republicans have made multiple attempts in recent years to raise the approval percentage a proposed constitutional amendment needs in order to pass. It comes after Missouri voters approved amendments

In the wake of child sex abuse incidents at southwest Missouri’s Kanakuk Christian sports camp, Branson-area lawmakers are filing bills in the Missouri House and Senate aimed at making it easier to file lawsuits seeking damages from perpetrators.

More than 1,000 bills have been introduced in the Missouri General Assembly this session, but only a few will get passed and signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe. Housing, taxes and right-to-work proposals are all on the table.

Kansas started this year without a state grocery tax after gradually reducing it in recent years. In Missouri, the total sales tax on groceries can get as high as 8%, which disproportionately affects low-income families.

The constitutional amendment approved by Missouri voters protects abortion access until the point of fetal viability, when a fetus can survive on its own outside the womb without extraordinary medical interventions. But the phrase does not have a precise definition — or date.