Peter Merideth

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

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.

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 Senate still could include the increase when considering its version of the budget.

The annual state budget and a tax that funds the bulk of Missouri’s Medicaid program are two things that must pass this session.

Currently, school bus drivers 70 and older are required to take the school bus portion of the driver’s license exam annually for renewal. The bill passed Thursday would raise that age to 77.

The legislation also repeals the prohibition on the concealed carrying of firearms in places of worship and lowers the age requirement for a concealed carry permit from 19 to 18.

Other recommendations by the committee included an exemption of the earnings tax for low-income workers as well as reimbursements for remote workers.

State Rep. Peter Merideth, a Democrat whose district includes Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, said legislation including red flag laws and raising the age to buy a gun to 21 would help prevent shootings like the one that occurred at the school nearly a year ago.

Despite the Missouri House voting to overturn multiple budget vetoes, the Senate did not take any further action, leaving those vetoes intact.