Missouri Senate leaders discuss passing state budget, Right to Work

The Senate president pro tem, Senate majority leader, Senate minority leader, and Senate budget chairman gave an update Friday on members passing a mandatory state budget as well as what comes next in the final week of session.

Senators passed a final budget bill Friday morning, sending the $28 billion budget to the governor for final approval.

Senate members were coming off a nearly 12-hour discussion Thursday about moving the Right to Work bill from the November ballot to August.

The bill came to a close around 5:30 a.m. Friday in a 23-7 vote.

“It was necessary that we came to conclusions and it was a bipartisan effort,” said Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard when asked if the hourslong discussion was necessary.

Richard wouldn’t comment on why moving the vote on Right to Work from November to August was necessary.

“I’ll let the debate speak for itself,” he said.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Kehoe elaborated further on the need for the nearly 12-hour debate.

“This is something we will absolutely disagree with with our friends on the other side of the aisle that everyday we can move forward the opportunity for Missouri to be a Right to Work state, we believe it’s an economic advantage for our citizens and our businesses here,” he said.

Senate Minority Leader Gina Walsh said she believes people will come out to vote on the issue no matter the month.

“These are desperate moves by a panicked group of special interests who think that they have to cheat to win,” she said. “Thankfully, I know that the working men and women in this state won’t be bullied. They’ll show up in August or November, or both, and they’ll make their voices heard.”

Senate leaders also discussed the upcoming special session and preparations for possible impeachment proceedings against Gov. Eric Greitens.

Kehoe said they plan to establish the rules and procedures for the special session as soon as the gavel back in at 6:30 p.m. next Friday.

Richard also discussed selecting the panel of seven eminent jurists for the impeachment process. He said he is looking for a mixture of judges from across the state in both the appeals and circuit courts.

“It’s going to be a tough decision, whatever it is,” he said. “I want to make sure they’re qualified, and have the character and the stamina to make the decision that’s necessary, good or bad.”

In addition, ABC 17 has learned that there will be three Special Investigative Committee meetings about the Greitens case next week. The group is scheduled to meet at noon Monday.