John Rizzo

Both bills now go to the Missouri House, where leadership says they are a priority.

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.

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

In addition to added transparency requirements, the bill bans the teaching of some diversity-centered topics. Senate Democrats believe the language would be interpreted too broadly.

Both the Senate president pro tem and Senate minority leader agree that Missouri needs to pay state workers more. Whether they go with exactly Gov. Mike Parson’s proposed plan is yet to be determined.

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

Both Senate bills now go to the House. In addition to the special session, the annual veto session ended on Wednesday, with no legislation overridden by lawmakers this year.

Gov. Mike Parson wanted a starting date of Sept. 6 for a special session on an income tax cut and agriculture tax credits. However, Republican leadership in a joint statement said they intend to use this week for further negotiations.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said he has no plans to call a special legislative session to protect access to contraceptives and address ectopic pregnancies. Parson’s comments come days after Democratic leaders called on the governor to hold a special session now that the state has banned nearly all abortions.

The new map passed by the House likely would keep Missouri’s current congressional delegation of six Republicans and two Democrats. It now goes to the Missouri Senate with only four days left in the legislative session.