Missouri Governor

Among the legislation signed by Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe is a wide-reaching public health bill that requires the state to track cases of Lyme disease and alpha-gal syndrome, and allows people to obtain up to 12 months of birth control pills at once.

Gov. Mike Kehoe on Thursday also signed into law harsher penalties for drunk driving and age verification requirements for pornography websites.

In the Aug. 4 primary election, Missouri voters can weigh in on Amendments 1, 2, 4 and 5. The proposals cover parks funding, election of tax assessors, how things get on a statewide ballot and the elimination of the state income tax.

A closeout review by State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick — whom Parson appointed to statewide office in 2018 — could find no state business purpose for a third of the former governor’s flights on state aircraft.

Missouri faced a tight budget this session after years of record spending. Gov. Mike Kehoe issued 65 vetoes, totaling over $30 million in general revenue.

The effort comes after the federal government criticized suspected levels of Medicaid fraud in Democratic-led states.

The case brought by the NAACP attempted to quash Missouri bills that gerrymandered the congressional map and changed the initiative petition process. But the Supreme Court unanimously ruled the governor could call a special session whenever the legislature isn't already meeting.

A Cole County judge is being asked to block the measure from the ballot or rewrite its summary for voters.

Gov. Mike Kehoe said he doesn't plan on calling any special sessions, including on drawing another new congressional map.

Gov. Mike Kehoe named the legislation a priority after the Missouri State High School Activities Association came under scrutiny for considering diversity in its hiring practices.

Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe said he's ready to sell his plan to expand sales and use taxes, which would allow Missouri to end the income tax. Another ballot measure would repeal constitutional protections for abortion rights.

While a pregnant woman can file for divorce in Missouri, under current law a judge can prevent it from being finalized. Gov. Mike Kehoe signed legislation removing those barriers, as well as a wide-reaching criminal justice bill.