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This week...

House Passes FY25 State Operating Budget

The Missouri House debated and marked up the late into Tuesday evening. The bills, which authorize over $50 billion in total spending (state & federal funds), were formally roll call voted out on Thursday and are now headed to the Senate. 

For Higher Education, the Missouri House passed a one-time two percent increase to the ��ҹӰԺ core budget.  The Missouri House also gave the ��ҹӰԺ $20M for the construction, renovation, maintenance and repair needs for NextGen Radiopharmaceuticals, Animal Science, Healthcare, Engineering. The House gave approval of $2.9M for the planning, design, construction and renovation of Eckles Hall at the ��ҹӰԺ for the Missouri Wine and Grape Institute Research Center and Viticulture Facility. UMSL received $25M for the planning, design, and construction of an engineering building.

What’s next: The Senate Appropriations Committee will likely begin their “mark up” process the week after next. Next week there will certainly be behind the scenes informal budget meetings with the chairman, staff and individual Senators. This leaves just four weeks for the budget bills to pass out of the Senate and for conference committees to hash out differences by the constitutional deadline of Friday, May 10. .

KC Voters Reject Stadium Tax for Royals, Chiefs

Residents of Jackson County voted down a sales tax proposal 58%-42% that would have helped fund a new downtown stadium for the Kansas City Royals and major renovations to Arrowhead Stadium. The measure would have re-authorized a 3/8 of a cent sales tax set to expire in 2031 on the existing stadiums. The proposal rejected by the voters would have extended the funding stream to help fund the new projects.

What's next: Spokesmen for the Chiefs and Royals said they would explore all other options if the tax failed. This could include negotiating a new deal with Jackson County, or exploring other locations they may offer more lucrative tax incentives, including the state of Kansas. . 

Senate Debates Kansas City Landfill

The Senate spent nearly nine hours Wednesday debating that would block efforts to develop a proposed landfill in south Kansas City. 

Dozens of lobbyists have been hired on both sides of the issue. Proponents of the bill argue that the creation of a landfill is an infringement of local citizens’ property rights, and that residents should’ve be given the opportunity to weigh in on accepting or rejecting the landfill. In turn, opponents say the rules should not be changed in the middle of the game, and that the property rights of developers must also be considered. 

The bill was laid over without taking a vote and can be taken up at a later time. There is talk that the relevant stakeholders are close to a deal that could resolve the disagreement without the need to pass legislation. 

Retiring Congressman Luetkemeyer Endorses Schaefer in CD3 Primary

Retiring Republican Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, who currently represents Missouri’s 3rd congressional district, endorsed former Missouri Senate Appropriations Chairman Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) to replace him. Schaefer is Republicans vying for the seat, in addition to two Democrats and one Libertarian. . 

Coming Up in the Senate: FRA Renewal

Legislation to renew the state’s federal reimbursement allowance (FRA) program, set to expire this September, is still waiting on the Senate calendar to be brought up for debate. There has been talk recently that the bill may be brought up for floor debate next week. 

What is the FRA? Since 1992, the FRA is a “tax” on hospitals, nursing homes, ambulance districts, and pharmacies which allows the state to draw down more federal dollars to help fund the state’s Medicaid program. The FRA program brings in more than $4 billion annually and has been renewed 17 times since its creation. would eliminate the sunset provision altogether and extend the program indefinitely.

What’s the problem? Members of the Senate Freedom Caucus have threatened to block the passage of the FRA bill if the legislature does not also adopt language to prohibit state funds from going to organizations affiliated with or that may perform abortions in other states (Planned Parenthood).

Why it matters: Without renewal of the FRA, the state could face a massive budgetary shortfall, more than $4 billion. Witnesses representing the nursing home industry who testified in favor of the bill during a hearing in January said that without the renewal, Missourians could expect every nursing home in the state to close along with dozens of hospitals should the measure fail. The “must-pass” bill has just 6 weeks to make it to the Governor’s desk. 

Trial Attorney Influence with Some Republican Legislators Grows

Traditionally, the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys has aligned moreso with the Democratic Party. Over the last few years however, they have increased their engagement with and contributions to Republican lawmakers, including members of the Senate Freedom Caucus. In recent weeks, trial attorney firms across the state have contributed nearly $200,000 to Senator Bill Eigel’s gubernatorial campaign. 

Trial attorneys’ influence on a few members of the majority party, particularly in the Senate, has made it more difficult to move tort reform legislation or other policies that the trial bar finds fault with.