Missouri state budget

Missouri House Budget Committee Chair Dirk Deaton said the amendments would be fiscally "irresponsible and a mistake." Democratic lawmakers warned that proposed cuts could jeopardize a program that puts child care in reach of low-income and foster families.

The biggest tasks left are the state budget, where Gov. Mike Kehoe has proposed a number of spending reductions, and a Republican plan to eliminate the income tax.

Missouri voters earmarked the marijuana tax money for veterans services, public defenders and substance use treatment, but Missouri budget plans would leave tens of millions unavailable.

Gov. Mike Kehoe is proposing to cut funding for transportation from $6.7 million to $1.7 million, an 85% decrease. Missouri is already one of the lowest states for per capita spending on public transit.

Gov. Mike Kehoe proposes the state cut spending for Missouri's transportation industry to $1.7 million, down from the $6.7 million allocated for the current fiscal year. Advocates say the cuts will have "very real and tangible repercussions."

One of the changes made on the Senate side includes removing almost $15 million toward improving the Missouri Capitol. Now the legislation returns to the Missouri House for a vote.

More than 1,000 Missourians traveled to the Capitol to attend Disability Rights Legislative Day. Lawmakers from both chambers have said they will try to restore $80.7 million in cuts proposed by Gov. Mike Kehoe.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has proposed having citizens vote to phase out the state income tax over the next five years. But is that a viable option for the state budget?

The proposed cuts came out of a "core reduction exercise" requested by Gov. Mike Kehoe. Lawmakers from both parties vowed to undo the reductions but warned the governor could still veto any restoration.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has proposed deep cuts to art funding across the state as part of an austerity initiative emphasizing smaller government and fiscal discipline. Artists and arts advocates say their cultural contributions help drive economic investment.

Missouri arts and humanities leaders say Gov. Mike Kehoe's proposed budget for the arts would hurt programs across the state — including festivals, performances and museums like the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City.

If Missouri lawmakers agree to all of Kehoe’s proposed supplemental spending, that would represent a year-to-year cut of about $600 million. The future revenue picture is also clouded by the governor's efforts to eliminate the state income tax.