Legislation to Improve Abuse Reporting Advances With next week being the final week of session, things are moving very quickly at the Capitol. House Bill 2292 was heard in committee, voted do pass and placed on the Senate Calendar. This is the House companion to my bill, Senate Bill 899, that creates a two-way reporting system for elder abuse, child abuse and pet abuse. It also helps ensure professionals are properly trained on when and how to report, so cases of abuse can be identified and investigated more effectively. Prosecutors and law enforcement testified in support, saying this legislation would help save lives. Unfortunately, there are also groups opposing it, including the puppy mill lobby and the Missouri Farm Bureau, despite the real protections I believe this bill would provide for vulnerable people and their companion animals. Sending the State Budget to the Governor We also finished work on the package of appropriations bills that will comprise the state operating budget for fiscal year 2027 and sent it to the Governor. I have serious concerns about this budget and what it could mean for Missouri families. Public schools continue to be underfunded, while $60 million is directed toward private school vouchers. At the same time, funding was reduced for important mental health programs, including the Parents’ Ombudsman Program and mental health professional training, as well as other key social safety net services that many Missourians rely on. The budget also includes millions in earmarked spending for projects that don’t appear to be essential priorities, while core services are left struggling to keep up. On top of that, I do not believe the budget is truly balanced. The passed budget appropriates more money than what is expected to be collected in general revenue. To make up the difference, more than $4 billion from the state’s surplus would need to utilized. With that kind of spending and a challenging revenue outlook ahead, I have real concerns about Missouri’s long-term budget stability. We can and should do better. Missourians deserve a budget that fully supports our schools, strengthens mental health services, protects the safety net and puts long-term stability first. Making Property Taxes More Manageable for Homeowners We worked on a couple of property tax bills, Senate Bill 1410 and Senate Bill 853, and I’m pleased with the progress we made. These bills are about giving people a little more flexibility and clarity when it comes to their property taxes. These improvements allow counties to offer installment payment options, give homeowners earlier notice and allow more time to appeal if their property value increases. Importantly, they don’t raise tax rates. I also appreciate the input from my colleagues in the Senate who helped shape this legislation to make sure it protects funding for essential local services like schools, fire protection and ambulance districts. A Strong Step Forward for Online Safety and Victim Protection We also had an important win with House Bill 2637, which was truly agreed to and passed. This bill includes recommendations from the Stop Cyberstalking and Harassment Task Force and updates Missouri law to better address online abuse. It allows cyberstalking to be used as grounds for an order of protection and creates new offenses for cyberstalking, cyber-harassment, online sadistic exploitation and the sharing or threatening to share intimate digital images without consent. It’s a strong step forward in making sure our laws keep up with the realities of harm in the digital age and better protect victims. Helping Homeowners Make Informed Housing Decisions Another bill that made it across the finish line was Senate Bill 834. Originally focused exclusively on mortgage modifications, I added language to strengthen consumer protections in sale-leaseback transactions. These agreements can be complex and, without clear safeguards, can put homeowners at risk of losing both their home and their equity. The changes make sure people clearly understand when they are no longer the owner of their home and give them time to get advice before signing anything. Studying New Options to Support Veterans and First Responders This year, I filed Senate Bill 1682 to update Missouri law on alternative therapies, including psilocybin (a chemical found in certain types of mushrooms). I’m also handling its House companion, House Bill 1717, now on the Senate Calendar. House Bill 1717 would create a tightly regulated, state-approved study of psilocybin as a potential support option for first responders and veterans. It would only be available to eligible adults age 21+ with conditions like PTSD, major depression, substance use disorder, or end-of-life care needs, and would be administered through licensed health care professionals under strict oversight. Participants would enroll through the Department of Mental Health, provide medical documentation and work with trained facilitators. The program includes clear safety rules, dosage limits, a 12-month treatment window, lab testing, annual reporting, a $2 million research fund and strong privacy protections. With growing research and personal stories from veterans and first responders about its potential benefits, this bill is about responsibly studying whether psilocybin could be a safe and effective tool, so Missouri can make future decisions based on evidence and real outcomes. Celebrating Kirkwood’s StudentCam Award Winners A big congratulations to four Kirkwood High School students who earned third place in the 2026 C-SPAN StudentCam documentary competition! Trip Nieman explored rising housing costs in “Who Gets to Live Here: Diversity and a Community Changing.” Luisa Marietta highlighted an overlooked piece of history in “The 1904 Philippine Reservation: Forgotten Pieces of American History.” Bennett Roettger examined long-standing inequality in “The Delmar Divide, A Line That Separates a City.” Daphne Wassel looked at government reform in “Fixing Our Aging Government.” Each of these students took on important topics with real thoughtfulness and creativity, and it’s clear they put a lot of work into telling meaningful stories about their community and country. Congratulations to all of them, their families and their teachers! Students and Community Groups Make Capitol Visits a Highlight I really enjoyed having several groups visit the Capitol recently, including Missouri Preservation’s 2026 Honor Awards visitors and Maureen McMillan, MNEA educators and retirees, notaries public advocates, electric cooperative advocates and students from the Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School. Each visit brings something a little different, and I always appreciate the chance to hear directly from people about the issues that matter to them. The student visits, especially, are a real highlight of this job. It’s encouraging to hear their perspectives and see the curiosity and thoughtfulness they bring to the Capitol. They’re truly our future leaders, and I always learn something from my conversations with them. Stay Up to Date with My Weekly Videos I share a new video almost every week during session with the latest from the Senate. You can watch anytime on the Senate YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MOSENCOM. Keep in Touch If there is ever anything I or my amazing staff, Hannah Dolan and Emily O’ Laughlin, can do to assist you, please contact our office at 573-751-9762, email tracy.mccreery@senate.mo.gov or visit us in State Capitol Room 427. To view my sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate webpage at senate.mo.gov/McCreery. | 