Missouri State Budget

The budget includes a $2.8 billion plan to fully expand Interstate 70 to three lanes in each direction and funding for teacher raises, as well as money for public libraries.

The Senate’s plan to go beyond the $860 million initially proposed to expand Interstate 70 remained in the budget agreed to by a Senate-House conference committee Wednesday night. Other Senate positions that remained were state funding for public libraries and the elimination of anti-DEI language in the budget.

The Senate’s proposed budget is $4.2 billion more than what the House passed weeks ago. Like in the House, most of the debate in the Senate was spent over an amendment that would have inserted language against diversity, equity and inclusion.

House Budget Committee sends supplemental spending bill with 8.7% raises, increased night differential, to floor for debate.

Parson wants 8.7 % pay hikes for state workers by end of March

Gov. Mike Parson also signed off on a record $47.5 billion budget but cut a $500 million income tax credit. And he signed a series of bills primarily focused on health care policy, including one that eases visitor limitations at health care facilities.

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.

Missouri’s 2022 legislative session begins Wednesday with lawmakers in both the House and Senate gaveling in at noon.

The money is in Parson's budget, but other Republicans argue voters didn't understand what they were approving.

After an active first few months of the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers are returning Monday to Jefferson City after a weeklong spring break with several priorities on the agenda of the Republican supermajority.