On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies reunite to talk to state Rep. Tracy McCreery about special sessions involving a critical tax that funds Medicaid and congressional redistricting.

The Olivette Democrat has represented the 88th District since the beginning of 2015. Her district includes portions of Creve Coeur, Olivette and Ladue. Term limits will prevent McCreery from running for the House again, but she recently announced that she’s running for the state Senate.

Here’s what McCreery discussed on the show:

• The standoff among Republican legislators over the renewal of what’s known as the Federal Reimbursement Allowance. That’s a tax that places like hospitals pay to help fund the state’s Medicaid program.
• Proposals to prohibit Medicaid from paying for certain forms of contraception and from reimbursing non-abortion services at Planned Parenthood.
• Whether public pressure could push Missouri Republicans to create a congressional map with more competitive districts. Democrats will have little leverage to affect the special session for congressional redistricting, which will likely take place in the fall.
• Her reasons for running for the 24th District seat held by Sen. Jill Schupp. That district used to be intensely competitive but is now seen as Democratic leaning and may be even more out of reach for Republicans after state legislative redistricting.

After a stint in the pharmaceutical industry, McCreery served as state Sen. Joan Bray’s district aide for the University City Democrat’s eight-year tenure.

When then-state Rep. Jake Zimmerman successfully ran for St. Louis County assessor in 2011, McCreery won a special election as an independent against both a Democratic and Republican candidate. Roughly a year later, she lost a Democratic primary to Sue Meredith for a St. Louis County-based seat that became open due to redistricting.

After her loss, McCreery spent the next couple of years working for PROMO – the state’s top advocacy organization for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues. McCreery won election to the 88th District seat in 2014 and has won reelection comfortably ever since.

Follow Jason Rosenbaum on Twitter: @jrosenbaum

Follow Jo Mannies on Twitter: @jmannies

Follow Tracy McCreery on Twitter: @TracyMcCreery