Missouri’s lieutenant governor says the one thing that is for certain in the Missouri Senate is that nothing is for certain. He’s referring to the chaos that happened Friday in Jefferson City on the final day of Missouri’s 2023 session. The final day featured finger-pointing and GOP infighting in the Senate. Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City), who’s running for governor, says there are positives from the session. One of them is $2.8 billion to six-lane I-70 across Missouri. Kehoe describes that as a game-changer. He’s also pleased with a bipartisan bill that passed which will end state taxes on Social Security benefits starting in 2024. That bill is now on the governor’s desk:
(AUDIO): Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher (R-Des Peres) discusses 2023 legislative session on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
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:
Columbia’s Rowden elected as Missouri Senate President; Plank and Steinhoff sworn-in
Missouri’s 2023 legislative session is underway in Jefferson City. Both chambers gaveled-in at noon on Wednesday, per the state Constitution.
Republicans have supermajorities in both chambers: 111-52 in the Missouri House and 24-10 in the Senate. State senators have unanimously elected State Sen. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) as Senate President Pro Tem. State Rep. Dean Plocher (R-Des Peres) has been elected as the new Missouri House Speaker.
Rowden had been serving as Senate Majority Leader. The Pro Tem chairs the powerful Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee, and selects committee chairs. One of Rowden’s priorities is initiative petition reform.
Freshmen State Reps. Adrian Plank and Kathy Steinhoff (D-Columbia) were sworn-in on Wednesday, as was newly-elected State Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit).