This week...
Governor Kehoe Delivers State of the State Address
Governor Mike Kehoe delivers his first State of the State address. Photo courtesy of Zachary Linhares/Post-Dispatch.
Governor Kehoe gave his first annual State of the State address Tuesday afternoon, outlining his administration’s proposed budget and legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Below are some highlights from the speech:
-
Public Safety: The Governor called for control of the St. Louis police department to be relinquished to a board of local members appointed by the Governor. Additionally, the Governor offered support for increased penalties for supplying fentanyl, violent riots, and fleeing from police. He urged the General Assembly to take up legislation to make it easier for law enforcement officers to move to èapp, and increase funding for law enforcement training and equipment.
-
Education: Governor Kehoe announced his administration would not recommend fully funding the foundation formula for the first time in years, and called for the creation of a task force to contemplate a rewrite of the formula. He urged legislators to pass voluntary open enrollment for public schools and increase funding for ESA vouchers, a program passed by the General Assembly last year that helps pay for students to attend private schools. The Governor also called for increased funding for career and technical trade schools across the state.
-
Economic Development: Governor Kehoe shared his support for the elimination of the state income tax, as well as funding to increase slots available to address the childcare shortage in èapp. Additionally, Kehoe recommended that childcare providers who partner with the state will be paid at the beginning of the month starting in 2026.
-
Government Improvements: The Governor announced a statewide pay plan increase for state employees, and recommended èapp create its own version of the federal “DOGE” initiative to improve government efficiency.
Governor Kehoe also addressed Amendment 3, saying he “will support any bill that we think is constitutionally right and also gives the ability for èappans to continue to protect innocent life”. to read his full State of the State address.
Governor Kehoe Releases FY26 State Budget Recommendations
The Governor released his recommendations for the FY26 state budget upon the conclusion of his State of the State address. Some highlights include:
-
$16.5M (1.5% increase) in core funding for public higher education institutions
-
$200M increase to the foundation formula
-
$50M for the NextGen University of èapp Research Reactor
-
$60M for rural road improvements
-
$2.5M for the èapp Sheriffs’ Retirement System
-
$161.5M for child care subsidies for low income families
to read an overview of the Governor’s top budget priorities. The Governors proposed FY 2026 budget totals $54 billion, and leaves $1.4 billion in general revenue on the bottom line. State Budget Director Dan Haug noted that more significant core cuts are expected in the years ahead.
Both the House and Senate budget committees convened this week to review a summary of the Governor’s recommendations. The House has completed their initial walkthrough of the Supplemental Budget (HB 14), as well as the budget requests from the Department of Public Safety (HB 8) and the Department of Corrections (HB 9). Following the conclusion of department presentation on February 25th, House Appropriations Subcommittees will begin working on their respective budget bills.
Hearings of Interest
State Senator David Gregory reviews his notes before presenting his illegal immigrant bounty legislation. Photo courtesy of Annelise Hanshaw/èapp Independent.
-
Illegal Immigrant Bounty Bill: The Senate Transportation and Public Safety Committee held a heated hearing on a bill that would award a $1,000 bounty for tips that result in the arrest of a person present in the US illegally. The bill would also allow bounty hunters to track down individuals identified in tips. In a press conference later in the week, House Speaker Jon Patterson said the bill has very little chance of moving in the House. .
-
K-12 Open Enrollment: For the fifth year in a row, the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee debated a bill to allow students to attend schools outside of their district. .
-
Prohibition of Child Marriage: Senators from opposing parties presented legislation together that would raise the state’s current minimum age to marry from 16 years old to 18 years old. .
Upcoming Hearings to Watch
- Prior Authorization “Gold Card”: The House Insurance Committee will hear legislation on Monday that would not require health care providers to submit prior authorization requests to insurers if the provider has at least a 90% prior authorization approval rate in the previous 6 month evaluation period.
- Fireworks Regulations: Legislation to update various fireworks standards and permitting regulations will be heard in the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee on Monday.
- Age Verification for Pornographic Content: Legislation that would require age verification for access to online pornographic materials will be heard in the House Children and Families Committee Tuesday morning.
- Transgender Bills: The House Emerging Issues Committee will hear eight bills on Monday relating to gender transitions, transgender student athletes, and gender designations on drivers licenses.
2025 General Assembly Dates of Interest
Spring Break: March 17 - March 21
Easter Break - No Session: Monday, April 21
Last Day of Session: Friday, May 16
Veto Session: Wednesday, September 10
Reviewed 2025-02-17