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In Depth: Mo. Lawmakers To Consider Medicaid Expansion, Arming Teachers, Etc. In 2013

Missouri Capitol
File photo | Marshall Griffin | St. Louis Public Radio
Missouri Capitol

The Missouri legislature convenes this Wednesday.

The hallmark issue may be Medicaid expansion.  Topics of tax credits and arming classroom teachers are also expected to come up for debate.

Host Don Marsh talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s statehouse reporter Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Beacon political reporter Jo Mannies, and University of Missouri – St. Louis political science professor Terry Jones about the upcoming session.

Governor Jay Nixon has already appeared more willing to spar with Republicans than he has in the past.  He’s taken a stance for Medicaid expansion and against arming teachers, two stances incongruous with Republican leadership.

Although Democratic Governor Jay Nixon is used to a statehouse that’s firmly in Republican control, this will be the first time he’s dealt with a veto-proof GOP majority.

“Yes, it’s veto-proof, but both the senate and the house are just one or two votes above that. The larger the majority, the more difficult it is to keep that majority together,” said Terry Jones.

Jones added that the veto-proof majority is somewhat tenuous, and contingent upon almost all Republicans voting in agreement.

St. Louis Public Radio and Beyond November reporter Chris McDaniel contributed to this report.

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Alex is the executive producer of "St. Louis on the Air" at St. Louis Public Radio.
Mary Edwards is a producer for St. Louis Public Radio's broadcast program, "St. Louis Symphony."
Don Marsh served as host of St. Louis Public Radio’s “St. Louis on the Air" from 2005 to 2019, bringing discussions of significant topics to listeners' ears at noon Monday through Friday. Don has been an active journalist for 58 years in print, radio and television. He has won 12 Regional Emmy Awards for writing, reporting, and producing. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, was inducted into the St. Louis Media Hall of Fame in 2013, and named “Media Person of the Year” by the St. Louis Press Club in 2015. He has published three books: his most recent, “Coming of Age, Liver Spots and All: A Humorous Look at the Wonders of Getting Old,” “Flash Frames: Journey of a Journeyman Journalist” and “How to be Rude (Politely).” He holds an honorary Doctor of Arts and Letters degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.