Denny Hoskins

The Senate’s proposed budget is $4.2 billion more than what the House passed weeks ago. Like in the House, most of the debate in the Senate was spent over an amendment that would have inserted language against diversity, equity and inclusion.

The legislation, which includes blocking transgender minors from accessing gender-affirming health care like hormones or puberty blockers, had been held up with a filibuster over several days including more than 12 hours of debate from Monday afternoon to early Tuesday morning.

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.

A Missouri Senate committee heard two bills on Wednesday that would legalize sports betting. While one addresses only sports gambling, another also allows the establishment of video gaming terminals.

Another Senate committee heard testimony Tuesday on legislation that would prohibit anyone from changing their birth certificate.

State lawmakers see this session as a greater opportunity to pass some of their priorities.

The Warrensburg Republican has been in the middle of efforts to legalize sports betting and to allow businesses to have video lottery machines on their premises.

The bills the Missouri Senate advanced on Tuesday do contain an income tax cut and a series of agriculture tax credits, but do make significant changes compared to what Gov. Mike Parson initially requested.

The budget includes raising the minimum pay for teachers, fully funding the state’s Medicaid program, including its expansion population, and income tax credits, as well as close to $3 billion in federal funding for projects across the state.

Missouri lawmakers are considering the biggest expansion of gambling in the state since voters approved riverboat — and ultimately riverside — casinos three decades ago.