Senator Brian Williams’ Legislative Column for May 7, 2026
Budget is in the Books
After months of hearings, gathering input from state departments and negotiating line-item totals between the legislative chambers, I’m pleased to report the final $48.7 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2027 has been sent to the governor. I can honestly say I am thankful this was the last time I will be involved in such an arduous task! With nearly 200 legislators and almost as many opinions, deciding which programs receive funding from the state, and how much they receive, or where cuts are needed takes a tremendous amount of research and patience.
Overall, I am pleased with the budget the Legislature put forth. I am thankful school transportation, higher education and disability care programs received a good share of the fiscal pie. However, I am highly disappointed the budget did not fully fund the foundation formula for Missouri’s K-12 schools and fear this will leave school districts scrambling next year.
Join Me for a Community Discussion on Property Taxes
Please join me for an in-depth discussion on property tax assessments in St. Louis County this evening, May 7. Contact my office for more information at 573-751-4106. For those of you who cannot make the in-person town hall, please read the below fact sheet on the county’s obligations and my legislation to give property owners more time to know about, pay or appeal an increase of more than 15% to their property tax assessment. With only a week left to get my priority piece of legislation to the governor, it is imperative you advocate for Senate Bill 853 with your state representative now.
It is an honor representing each of you in the Missouri Senate. If you have any ideas to improve St. Louis County or questions about legislation, please contact my office at 573-751-4106 or visit my Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Williams.