JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. KY3—During this year’s veto session, Missouri lawmakers allowed $1 billion to be cut from the budget without any objections.
Since the Missouri General Assembly ended its session in May, the state Capitol has been quiet. However, lawmakers and their staff returned on Wednesday for the annual veto session, a time to review and potentially challenge the governor’s budget vetoes.
The governor signed a $50 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year earlier this summer. He vetoed over $1 billion, mainly due to a controversial education bill expected to cost an extra $400 million. This bill includes teacher raises and incentives for schools to operate five days a week.
Lawmakers had the option to accept the governor’s vetoes and set the $1 billion aside or use it this year for projects and programs. Some of the vetoed funds included $3.5 million for crime victim software, $10 million for a statewide education grant, and $9.4 million for developmental disabilities.
Other removed funds included $10 million for expanding U.S. 65, $3.1 million for the Carnahan Courthouse in St. Louis, $3.4 million for an I-70 environmental study in Kansas City, $11 million for the Cape Girardeau Historic District, and $2 million for the Highway 61 Hannibal overpass.
State revenue is declining yearly, with Democrats blaming Republican tax cuts. Despite this, the state has one of its largest budget surpluses this year.
Rep. Jon Patterson, who is expected to become Speaker of the House in January, said the Republican majority has no plans to override the governor’s vetoes. It’ll be pretty uneventful, he noted.
Rep. Peter Merideth, a St. Louis Democrat, expressed disappointment, suggesting the funds should be used for disability and housing aid to benefit Missourians. Merideth, who is leaving the legislature, advocated for investing in programs that would benefit the state long-term.
Only one lawmaker, Rep. Deb Lavender, attempted to restore any funds. She proposed reinstating funds for the Ombudsman Program, which assists people in long-term care, but this proposal was not approved.
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