State of the State

Following a short first week of the legislative session, the General Assembly saw much more activity this week as committees began holding hearings and the governor gave his annual State of the State address to the General Assembly.

Several of my bills were referred to committee and I have already been in contact with the committee chairs to push for hearings as soon as possible. This is the first step in the long process to get bills to the governor’s desk and I look forward to presenting my proposals to my colleagues. 

I am pleased to continue to serve on Families, Seniors and Health; Economic and Workforce Development; Emerging Issues and Professional Development; Government Efficiency; and Progress and Development committees. One of my favorite aspects of the committee process is hearing from Missourians from all across the state sharing their opinion on bills before the committee.  

On Tuesday, the governor identified his legislative priorities in his State of the State address. While I certainly agree with the broader messages of affordability, public safety, and health care, the details matter and will need to be ironed out. I am fearful the governor’s call to phase out Missouri’s income tax and add a tax on services will hurt everyday Missourians and further increase the costs. Ensuring that working families are able to keep more money in their pockets is critical, especially as many continue to feel the strain of rising costs for housing, groceries, and health care. 

The governor spent quite a bit of time discussing his budgetary priorities and recommendations. I agree with the governor’s opinion to continue to fund public safety and disagree with the proposal of expanding the voucher program. I will continue to oppose public dollars going to private entities. As these proposals move forward, I will continue to closely evaluate their full impact and advocate for policies that truly continue to move Missouri forward and not backwards.

I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend with their loved ones and are able to take time to reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Other News

On Jan. 13, a unanimous Missouri Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of a 2023 state law that prohibits providing gender-affirming medical care to children and bans the state’s Medicaid program from paying for gender transition surgeries for people of any age.

Several families of transgender children challenged the law, saying it unconstitutionally discriminates against them by denying necessary medical care based on gender. Specifically, the plaintiffs alleged the law violates the due process and equal protection clauses of the Missouri Constitution.

While the plaintiffs argued the law should be held to the highest level of constitutional scrutiny, the Supreme Court agreed with the trial judge that the legislature merely had to demonstrate a rational basis for enacting the law, which in this case was based on the state’s authority to regulate medical practices and manage its Medicaid spending.

“There is no fundamental right to seek care the legislature has prohibited,” Judge Kelly Broniec wrote for the court. “Because the (law) does not infringe on a fundamental right, rational-basis review is appropriate.”

The law’s restrictions on gender-affirming care currently are set to expire in 2027 under a deal struck to avoid a Senate filibuster. Legislation to make the restrictions permanent fell short of final passage during the 2025 legislative session, but majority in the Senate are expected to try again this year. The case is E.N., et al., v. Gov. Mike Kehoe.

Contact Me

I always appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at 573-751-6607. You may write me at Patty Lewis, Missouri Senate, State Capitol, Rm 425, Jefferson City, MO 65101, send an email to Patty.Lewis@senate.mo.gov or visit www.senate.mo.gov/Lewis.