Dirk Deaton

Lawmakers had until 6 p.m. Friday to pass the budget. The final product is roughly $1 billion less than Gov. Mike Parson proposed.

Included in the budget is a 3.2% pay increase for state workers, money to fully fund school transportation and funds to improve Interstate 44. However, the House version of the budget is about $2 billion less than Gov. Mike Parson requested for the upcoming fiscal year.

The bill would also remove taxes on Social Security benefits, which both parties say could be helpful to seniors in the state.

The bill would slice the corporate rate in half and exempt all Social Security benefits from state taxation.

The budget bills come as the Missouri Senate is expected to make changes to the House’s legislation. Senators have expressed frustration at the House taking what they believe is longer than normal on the budget with only six weeks left in the 2022 session.

The Noel Republican also discussed other big-ticket items for the 2022 session, including congressional redistricting and passing legislation authorizing Gov. Mike Parson to spend Medicaid expansion funds.