Lawmakers conclude 2023 legislative session
First Regular Session of the 102nd General Assembly finishes with more than 60 measures headed to the governor's desk
Friday, May 12, marked the final day of the 2023 legislative session. Throughout the session, lawmakers introduced more than 2,200 bills and resolutions. Of those measures, 62 made it through the process and reached the governor's desk for his consideration.
"I'm happy with what we have delivered over the course of the past year," said Speaker Dean Plocher, R-St. Louis, "We've addressed crime, we've protected the vulnerable, we've cut taxes, and this is all because of the men and women of my caucus. I am proud and thankful for their work during the 2023 legislative session."
Members of the Missouri House of Representatives mark the end of the legislative session by tossing their papers in the air.
During the session, lawmakers passed legislation to provide tax relief to seniors. Senate Bill 190 exempts Social Security benefits from state income tax. It also authorizes a tax credit for seniors to offset any increased tax liability for residential property imposed after the taxpayer became eligible for Social Security benefits. The General Assembly also approved legislation extending MOHealthNet benefits to new moms for up to a year after pregnancy, in addition to passing a wide-ranging public safety measure.
One of the year's highlights was the passage of the state's operating budget for Fiscal Year 2024. In addition to meeting the financial needs of state government, the $50 billion spending plan makes a series of significant investments, from education to infrastructure and more.
One of those investments is in Interstate 70, where lawmakers appropriated $2.8 billion to rebuild and widen the road between St. Louis and Kansas City. "This interstate connects Missourians and businesses to the rest of the country," said Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield. "If we want to continue to attract new businesses and job creators to our state, we must upgrade this roadway — now is the time. In addition to rebuilding I-70, our budget invests in low volume roads as well as other pieces of highway infrastructure to prepare these roads and bridges for future renovations, including I-44."
The budget passed by lawmakers also includes important funding for education. In addition to fully funding the state's education foundation formula, it allocates $347 million to meet the state's public school transportation needs. The budget also appropriates $29.4 million to raise the starting salaries of public school teachers to $38,000 a year.
Other budget highlights, include:
$78 million to increase rates for child care providers
$56 million for pre-K programs
$50 million for school safety grants
$50 million to improve railroad crossings throughout the state
$50 million to help the Jackson County Sports Authority prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Kansas City
$5 million to provide drinking water upgrades in St. Charles
7% funding increase for Missouri's public colleges and universities
The budget bills now head to the governor's desk for his consideration. The 2024 Fiscal Year begins on July 1.