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Missouri Gov. Mike Parson rejected a bill that would allow compensation for more people who were wrongfully convicted of a crime. Parson argued that taxpayers should not be responsible, but supporters of the legislation say that exonerees deserve to be compensated for the state's mistake.
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Gov. Mike Parson vetoed roughly 200 line items in the Missouri budget, primarily contending that he wanted to prevent financial difficulties in future years.
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The bipartisan bill, exempting Social Security benefits and public pension payments from income tax, would reduce state general revenue by an estimated $309 million annually.
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The vetoed bill would have increased payments for Missouri prisoners who were freed after being found innocent, and expanded who is eligible for compensation. But Republican Gov. Mike Parson said the state should not have to pay for the mistakes of local prosecutors.
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One law bans minors and incarcerated Missourians from accessing puberty blockers, hormones or gender-affirming surgeries — all treatments that are widely supported by mainstream medical groups. Those under 18 who have already begun treatment may continue their regimens. The second law prohibits transgender athletes from competing in sports that align with their gender identity.
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Advocates for transgender people say they can’t completely celebrate Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey's withdrawal of a rule limiting gender-affirming care — which would have also applied to adults — because Gov. Mike Parson is expected to sign a bill that limits such care for minors.
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Officials unveiled a new nonprofit organization to lead the charge in Kansas City’s preparation to host the men’s FIFA World Cup in 2026. Kansas and Missouri are spending money on the event, which is expected to bring fans from around the world to Kansas City.
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Applicants to the state child care subsidy program often face long call center wait times and onerous paperwork requirements — and child care providers who accept the subsidy face administrative hurdles of their own.
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While the Missouri House and Senate have both passed their own versions of bills restricting access for gender-affirming health care and sports participation for transgender youth, no bill has passed both chambers. With two weeks remaining in session, Parson said he’s prepared to call lawmakers back to pass the bills.
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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.
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Under the legislation, the governor would be able to appoint a special prosecutor for a period of up to five years in jurisdictions where homicide cases exceed a certain rate. Currently, only St. Louis falls under that requirement.
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The supplemental budget bill includes an 8.7% cost-of-living adjustment for state employees and an extra $2 an hour for some workers with late-night or overnight shifts. Parson said he hopes the significant pay increase will mean a lower turnover rate for state workers.
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Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri no longer perform abortions; their affiliates in Illinois and Kansas do. Despite a new law restricting Medicaid reimbursements, the Missouri clinics continue to provide services such as contraceptive care, STI testing, cancer screenings and wellness checks.
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A lawsuit appears likely over the measure, which goes into effect later this year. Missouri Republicans had tried for years to stop any funds from going to abortion providers or their affiliates.
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The new law will go into effect Aug. 28. Planned Parenthood, Democratic lawmakers and health organizations say the ban will cause the most harm to low-income Missourians who rely on the clinics for contraceptives, STI testing, cancer screenings and more.
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Near Eagle Pass, Texas, on Wednesday, the Missouri governor and top general of the Missouri National Guard touted the bill, which funds the deployment for 200 troops and 22 highway patrol officers.
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The bill would boost minimum teacher salaries from $25,000 to $40,000 a year. It also greatly expands Missouri's tax-credit scholarship program for K-12 students to attend private schools.
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The law targets a plan by KC Recycle & Waste Solutions to build a landfill at Kansas City’s southern border. For more than a year, Raymore and other suburban municipalities have pushed legislation designed to block the landfill, arguing it would hurt the environment, property values and residents’ health.
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The Missouri Senate has begun work on the state's roughly $50 billion budget, with questions still swirling around renewing a tax that funds Medicaid and GOP infighting that could derail the process. Meanwhile, many appropriations require matching funds from the recipient.
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Brian Dorsey is set to be executed by the state of Missouri today. Gov. Mike Parson denied his request for clemency despite support from corrections officers and a retired Missouri Supreme Court judge. Dorsey was convicted of killing his cousin and her husband in central Missouri, but his defense team says the original trial lawyers had conflicts of interest.
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Gov. Mike Parson on Monday confirmed the state will carry out the scheduled execution of Brian Dorsey on Tuesday, April 9. More than 150 people spoke out in support of sparing Dorsey’s life, including over 70 corrections officers and a retired Missouri Supreme Court judge. Dorsey was convicted of murdering his cousin and her husband in 2006.
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Ballot initiatives are one way for voters to assert their power over the political whims of Missouri's state legislature or courts. They are often viewed as more stable and harder to undo.