Missouri’s 2023 legislative session has four days left. Republicans have supermajorities in both chambers: 24-10 in the state Senate and 111-51 in the Missouri House. House Speaker Dean Plocher (R-Des Peres) says his chamber has a GOP supermajority and that they should lead like they have a supermajority. He tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that residents will be very happy with with what legislative Republicans deliver by Friday. Speaker Plocher’s priorities this session have included tax cuts, initiative petition reform and transgender legislation. He predicts that some transgender bills will pass and hopes Governor Mike Parson (R) will sign them. He’s also pleased the Legislature has given final approval to a bill ending state taxes on Social Security benefits starting in 2024:
(AUDIO): State Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit) discusses Senate GOP priorities and nuclear waste on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
State Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit) says Missouri’s legislative Republicans are pushing an agenda that’s important to citizens. He says those items include protecting children, expanding busy I-70, approving a budget that funds priorities and initiative petition reform. Senator Fitzwater is also hopeful that the Senate will approve his bipartisan bill that asks Missouri’s congressional delegation to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. Senator Fitzwater represents Callaway, Lincoln, Montgomery, Pike and St. Charles counties in the Missouri Senate. Senator Fitzwater joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”:
(AUDIO): State Sen. Karla Eslinger (R-Wasola) previews Missouri’s 2023 session on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
State Sen. Karla Eslinger (R-Wasola) represents one of the poorest districts in the Legislature. Her seven-county district is in south-central and southwest Missouri, and she says five of those counties are among Missouri’s ten poorest counties. Senator Eslinger joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” from the governor’s prayer breakfast in Jefferson City, telling listeners that education, workforce development and economic development are critical to battling poverty. Senator Eslinger also says sports wagering, initiative petition reform and education will be three top issues in the General Assembly this year. She’s a former superintendent in both Ava and West Plains:
(AUDIO): Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) previews Missouri’s 2023 legislative session on 939 the Eagle
While Republicans have had a 24-10 supermajority for the past several years in the Missouri Senate, infighting among GOP state senators has caused some gridlock and frustration in Jefferson City. Republicans will control the chamber 24-10 again in January, and Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) says eight new state senators mean fresh ideas and an interest in finding ways to get things done. Leader Rowden is expected to be Senate President Pro Tem in January. He tells 939 the Eagle’s “Gary Nolan show” that he’s interested in numerous issues, including CRT, a parents bill of rights, initiative petition reform and foreign ownership of Missouri farmland. State Sen.-Elect Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit) filled in for Gary this morning: