May 7, 2026
This week the Missouri General Assembly passed the fiscal year 2027 state operating budget totaling $48.1 billion, which is $4.1 billion lower than the current year’s budget. Key highlights include more than $15 million for Pregnancy Resource Centers to support alternatives to abortion; added fraud, waste and abuse staff in House Bill 2011 to strengthen oversight of benefit programs, including Medicaid; over $4.28 billion for public schools and $376 million for school transportation; $52.55 million for the Career Ladder program to provide salary supplements and professional development opportunities for educators; $1 million in grants to establish safe schools initiatives; $1.9 million for school safety software that improves real-time communication between schools and first responders; and $148 million for the Missouri Veterans Commission to support veterans and connect them with services and resources.
On May 6, the governor signed two of my priorities into law. House Bill 1870, which I handled in the Missouri Senate, will simplify the process of deposit-account garnishments and would update bankruptcy exemptions in current law. In addition, House Bill 2180, the companion bill to my Senate Bill 931, will allow the Missouri Department of Revenue to mail certain tax documents by first-class mail instead of certified mail. This could save the state over $2 million annually. Both of these new laws will take effect on Aug. 28.
We now head into the final week of the 2026 regular legislative session. I will let you know how things went in my next column.
I am honored to serve as your senator in the Missouri Senate. If, at any time, you have questions, concerns or ideas regarding state government, please feel free to contact me at 573-751-8793 or Sandy.Crawford@senate.mo.gov.
This week’s visitors to the Capitol
Abby, June and Caleb Ball surprised Sen. Crawford with a
visit all the way from Oklahoma. Caleb was previously
Sen. Crawford’s intern for two years
Longtime friends of Sen. Crawford, Greg and Kay Armstrong
from Buffalo, came to the Capitol for a visit.
Bankers from across the state signed a thank you card for
Sen. Crawford for her support of community banks.
The governor signs House Bill 2180 into law.
The governor signs House Bill 1870 into law.