MOScout Daily Update: Reversing Medicaid Expansion - JP Resolution in Limbo? - Education Staffing Stats and more…
Another Attempted Reversal Coming?
The Missouri Independent reports on Rep. Darin Chappell’s resolution, which would send the question of Medicaid expansion back to Missouri voters. See the article here.
· The resolution would remove this provision from the state constitution: The Department of Social Services and the MO HealthNet Division shall take all actions necessary to maximize federal financial participation in funding medical assistance pursuant to this section.
Why It Matters
It’s the latest attempt to reverse a vote of the people. Last session the legislature changed the voter-approved law for mandatory sick leave, and voted to send the issue of abortion back before voters.
It speaks to the frustration that the Republican supermajority feels toward the initiative petition process.
· Rep. Louis Riggs, in his latest Capitol Report, sums it up this way, in speaking about the marijuana legalization implementation: This illustrates the point that legislating at the ballot box is a risky proposition on a good day. There were no hearings or floor debate about this program because it was jammed down our throats by a “vote of the people.”
Is HJR 174 ‘In Limbo?’
Is even the first step of Governor Mike Kehoe’s plan to phase out the state income tax in trouble? House Democrats, in their weekly press conference, wondered about the future of the stalled resolution from Speaker Jon Patterson which would give voters a chance to weigh in on Kehoe’s proposal.
The governor and the speaker's plan to impose a massive sales tax hike on Missourians appears to be in legislative limbo… it would be nice if it stayed there certainly, but there are rumors that
it's coming back up at some point…
· HJR 174 had its public hearing in the House Commerce Committee at the end of January, and it’s still sitting in committee, having yet to be voted out.
Aligned on Ed Staffing Trends
Aligned’s latest Weekly Update looks at school data concerning staffing and enrollment, finding that staffing has continued to increase despite falling enrollment.
This reality raises practical questions for policymakers:
· Are staffing increases concentrated in mandated/fixed-cost areas or is there room for more efficiency?
· Are districts substituting roles or layering new positions onto existing structures?
· How can we relate future staffing decisions to student outcomes, like proficiency, absenteeism, and behavioral trends?
And
Looking specifically at administrative staffing, Aligned notes: In seven years, district-level administrators [in Missouri] increased from 893 to 961 (+7.6%) and school-level administrators increased from 3,430 to 3,794 (+10.6%). The growth is gradual and consistent year over year, with no abrupt shifts in reporting. Remember: Missouri’s administrative staffing increased over the same period that enrollment declined 2.7%.
Carter Rolls Out Re-election
Today, Sen. Jill Carter will formally announce her campaign for reelection to Senate 32.
· “When I first ran, I promised to be transparent and put our families and communities first—and I’ve kept that promise,” said Senator Carter. “Now I’m asking for the honor of another term so we can keep the government accountable and let the voices of southwest Missouri drive real change.”
CLIP Spring 2026
Mizzou’s Civic Leaders Internship Program has 132 placements this spring, “which is a record! We exceeded our previous record by over 50 students.”
· See the Spring 26 cohort here.
Help Wanted
Auditor’s Office seeks Deputy General Counsel.The State Auditor's Office is seeking a Deputy General Counsel whose primary purpose is to provide assistance to the General Counsel on matters related to the legal representation and legal affairs of the State Auditor's Office… $100,000 - $120,000 per year. See the posting here.
eMailbag
· Your poll question didn’t mention expanding the sales tax - which is the ONLY thing the current legislation does. That omission is disappointing. You’ve given the proponents quite the gift with that bullshit poll question.
· Regarding the Schmitt alumni - look at how many have the brain rot and are still trying to overturn the 2020 election.
· If you haven’t noticed, the Republican majorities have a habit of kicking cans down the road for someone else to deal with. The unregulated video device situation in our state is a prime example that will compound other problems, funding education, ESA’s, long legal battles by well heeled companies, the income tax elimination HJR/SJR that puts the states’ financial future in jeopardy and in the hands of a legislature that likes to kick the can to the next legislature... Until someone figures out that political consultants should not be making state gaming policy, tax policy, regulatory policy or healthcare policy just to create political fission in a primary or general election, we are doomed to go down this path.
· You know it’s wild how Fitz keeps making news this week… by actually doing his job!.. Other Republicans could learn something from him!
$5K+ Contributions
Lake of the Ozarks Community Gaming - $50,000 from Signature GLP LLC.
Clay Dems Political Action Committee - $10,000 from UAW Region 4 Midwest States PAC - MO (Ottawa, IL).
MSCEW PAC Federal Cmte - $13,000 from IBEW PAC Voluntary Fund ( Washington, DC).
Lobbyist Registrations
Freddy Barnes added Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority.
Caroline Hoover added Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, and Wine Institute.
Shad Burner added Farmers for Midsouth Crush, LLC.
Matt Crecelius added Torch Electronics LLC.
Fred Dreiling added J & J Ventures.
Ryan Rowden added Day Solutions Inc.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthdays to Paula Brown and Rick Stream.