Archive for February 2022

The Missouri legislature has a larger-than-normal to-do list when it comes to the state budget.

Not only does it have to pass its usual annual budget along with a supplemental one, legislators also are responsible for an additional supplemental budget and deciding how to allocate billions of federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act.

On this week’s episode of Politically Speaking, state Rep. Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis, talks about the Missouri budget, along with other legislation the House has passed.

Here’s some of what Merideth talked about on the show:

• The status of the Missouri legislature, including the dysfunction happening in the Senate. Merideth said it isn’t uncommon for the Senate to come to a standstill, but he feels this year’s lack of action so far is unprecedented.
• His support of a Senate committee decision to back Gov. Mike Parson’s original proposal for state worker raises. The House had modified that plan so not all workers would have received a $15-an-hour-minimum wage. 
• The billions of federal dollars Missouri lawmakers will have to allocate by the end of 2024. Merideth said more should have been done by now, and he worries money will be left on the table.
• The series of proposed constitutional amendments the House has already advanced or at least given first-round approval. In addition to opposing the proposed amendments, Merideth also is against how they are worded, believing they are set up to trick voters.

Voters first elected Merideth to serve in the House in 2016. He represents the 80th District, which includes parts of south and central St. Louis.

Follow Sarah Kellogg on Twitter: @sarahkellogg

Follow Peter Merideth on Twitter: @PeterforMO

As the Senate has paused discussions on how to draw Missouri’s congressional districts, Sen. Brian Williams, D-University City, said he was willing to debate as long as it takes to ensure the state has a fair map.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Williams spoke on the hours of debate the Senate has already spent on redistricting, as well as what map he would like to see.

Here are some of the things Williams mentioned on the show:

• His optimism about accomplishing things in the Senate this year, despite a slow start and the lingering tensions in the chamber.
• The defeat of a bill in a Senate committee that would have loosened the state’s gun laws in instances of self-defense. Williams called the bill offensive and insulting.
• The House passage of a supplemental budget bill that includes raises for state employees, though not everyone would qualify for the new $15-an-hour minimum wage. Williams agrees with Gov. Mike Parson’s proposal that would have established a $15 baseline for all.
• His opinion on the constitutional amendment the House recently advanced that would raise the number of signatures needed in the initiative petition process.

Voters first elected Williams to serve in the Missouri Senate in 2018. He represents the 14th District. It encompasses parts of St. Louis County, including University City, Ferguson, Normandy, Bridgeton and Hazelwood.

Follow Sarah Kellogg on Twitter: @sarahkkellogg

Follow Brian Williams on Twitter: @BrianWilliamsMO

Missouri’s Senate majority leader said doubts from multiple senators as well as a shortened workweek due to a snowstorm were two of the reasons the Senate ultimately failed to approve the appointment of Don Kauerauf as director of the Department of Health and Senior Services.

On this episode of Politically Speaking, Sen. Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, spoke about the failed appointment, along with how he feels the 2022 legislative session has gone so far, one month in.

Here are some of the things Rowden also talked about on the show:

• The legislature’s progress on congressional redistricting. It’s been over two weeks since the House passed a proposed map. Discussion on the map on the Senate side is ongoing, but Rowden believes it will likely be taken up next week.
• The legislature’s slower-than-normal start. With both redistricting and eventually an emergency supplemental budget to consider, Rowden thinks after these issues are tackled, the Senate workload will begin to pick up.
• The state of Senate relationships. Though a divide between some of the seven members of the conservative caucus and Senate leadership is still apparent, Rowden would like to see things not taken so personally.

Rowden was first elected to the Senate in 2016, after serving two terms in the House. He represents the 19th District, which includes Boone and Cooper counties.

Follow Sarah Kellogg on Twitter: @sarahkkellogg
Follow Caleb Rowden on Twitter: @CalebRowden