Crystal Quade

Both parties tout increased spending in the state budget on roads and education as major successes.

House leadership says the speaker of the House did not follow Democrats’ recommendations for budget conference appointees.

The bill now goes to the Missouri Senate, which has already passed its own bill on the same topic. It’s unclear if the Senate will consider the House bill. Senate leadership said Thursday they would prefer the House pass the Senate version.

Before leaving for spring break, Missouri House Republicans called the first part of this year’s session successful. How much gets done during the second half, however, depends on how well both chambers navigate divisive bills.

Members of the Missouri House adjourned for spring break on Thursday, while the Senate left the night before. The break marks the halfway point of the session.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is seeking to oust Kim Gardner from her post as St. Louis Circuit Attorney. Experts believe the outcome could have major implications for legal precedent and public policy.

Lamar Johnson isn’t eligible for state restitution because DNA evidence wasn’t used to overturn his murder conviction.

The Missouri House passed legislation Thursday allowing the governor to appoint a special prosecutor in cities like St. Louis. But Republican leadership cut off debate on the bill before several Black Democrats from the St. Louis area were able to speak.

The legislation would raise the share of votes needed to pass a proposed change to the Missouri Constitution from a simple majority to 60%.

Missouri Republicans, especially in the Senate, spent much of the past two years fighting with each other but now are hoping to band together to pass major priorities such as making it harder to pass ballot petition initiatives.