Under the Dome – March 29

Under the Dome graphic with Missouri State Capitol Dome in background

Welcome back to Under the Dome, your weekly update on the goings-on of the Missouri state legislature.

Legislative homestretch likely to focus on dismantling the initiative petition process and passing budget, education bill, health care

With eight weeks left in the 2024 Missouri legislative session, no legislation has passed through both chambers.

Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, asked a House committee to add back ballot candy provisions that were stripped from the Senate resolution.

League of Women Voters members showed that politicians won’t trick them into giving up their rights as they supported majority rule at Voting Rights Lobby Day at the Missouri State Capitol.

Before they went on spring break, senators passed an over 150-page omnibus education bill. However, it must now go through the House, where it will likely undergo changes as it faces opposition from both homeschool and local public school advocates.

This session, lawmakers also must pass a tax that funds that bulk of Missouri’s Medicaid program and the state’s $50 billion operating budget.

Poll shows Missourians overwhelmingly support access to contraceptives despite efforts to politicize it

77% of respondents across party lines said people should be allowed to access an annual supply of birth control. Photo: Getty Images.

New polling data released Thursday shows that birth control is not considered controversial by Missourians.

“During a time when many issues divide people in our state, birth control enjoys near universal support,” Michelle Trupiano, executive director of Missouri Family Health Council, said.

The survey polled 1,000 Missourians between 18-35, split almost evenly among Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Most of those polled – including 84% of Democrats, 61% of Independents and about half of Republicans – expressed concern that their legislature will push laws restricting birth control.

House votes to repeal corporate income taxes saying the big business billion-dollar giveaway will have a trickle-down effect

The Missouri House sent a bill repealing the corporate income tax to the Senate on a party-line vote Wednesday, with Democrats calling it a business giveaway.

The corporate income tax is paid by larger companies with many stockholders. A fiscal note for the bill estimates it would reduce state revenues by at least $884 million when fully implemented. The state collected $13.2 billion in general revenue in the fiscal year that ended June 30.

SOS race: Plocher files before going in front of the House Ethics Committee; Coleman fails to carry her MO-3 campaign to term to join the primary

Plocher and Coleman, facing scrutiny for behaviors in their current offices, both jumped into the secretary of state race before Tuesday’s deadline. Photo from St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Two state legislators who had been seeking different offices abandoned their bids on Tuesday and instead filed paperwork to run for secretary of state.

State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, dropped her bid to represent the 3rd Congressional District and joined the Republican race for secretary of state.

Earlier Tuesday, House Speaker Dean Plocher ended his campaign for lieutenant governor. Instead he launched his bid for secretary of state before his 4 p.m. appearance in front of the House Ethics Committee.

Back to All News