Gov. Parson brings in legislative session with prayer breakfast
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Gov. Michael Parson helped kick off the 2023 legislative session in Jefferson City Thursday morning.
The governor hosted the annual prayer breakfast at the Capitol Plaza Hotel from 7:30 until 9 a.m. On Wednesday, state lawmakers returned to the State Capitol for the first day of the legislative session.
House leadership discussed different views for this year's legislative priorities, showing interest in education funding and the state budget surplus.
Newly-elected House Speaker Rep. Dean Plocher (R-St. Louis) wants to cut taxes, even more, using the nearly $6 billion surplus in the state budget. House Minority Leader Rep. Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) said the money should go back to the state, which would include improving infrastructure across Missouri.
Both parties also expressed raising teacher pay, which Gov. Parson prioritized in 2022.
During Thursday's breakfast, House Rep. Darin Chappell (R-Greene County) and House Rep. Steve Butz (D-St. Louis) both spoke more about education.
"I believe in local control but I don't believe it gets any more local than parents having the liberty to determine where their children are going to be educated," Chappell said. "This is an important use of their tax dollars and our state is falling behind because we are not keeping pace with education for our kids. Teacher pay is at the top of that list," Butz said
Several new state lawmakers joined the Missouri House of Representatives on Wednesday. That includes Democrats Doug Mann, Adrain Plank, and Kathy Steinhoff, who all represent parts of Columbia.
In the Missouri Senate, several Mid-Missouri senators will start new positions, including Columbia Sen. Caleb Rowden, the new president pro tem. Sen. Cindy O'Laughlin (R-Randolph) will take over Rowden's previous position as majority leader.
Former House member Travis Fitzwater, a Republican from Holts Summit, jumped over to the Senate in the 10th District after taking the seat once held by Jeanie Riddle.
The Senate is set to be back in session Thursday at 10 a.m., while the House is scheduled to be back in regular session on Jan. 9 at 4 p.m.
