Legislative Column for the Week of Jan. 12, 2026

This week marks week two of the 2026 legislative session, and the Missouri Senate continued its work on setting priorities for the year ahead.

One of the major events this week was the governor’s annual State of the State Address. He outlined budget proposals and legislative priorities and helped set the stage for the work the General Assembly will undertake in the coming weeks.

An important takeaway from the governor’s budget proposal is that there are no cuts to the school foundation formula. The budget maintains last year’s $500 million increase, providing continued stability for K–12 schools across Missouri. The proposal also supports funding for higher education, supporting workforce development and long-term economic growth throughout our state.

Another topic receiving attention this session is the discussion surrounding a phased approach to ending Missouri’s income tax. I am interested in learning more about how such a phased approach would be structured, including its potential impact on state revenues, essential services and long-term budget stability. Any change of this magnitude must be carefully evaluated to ensure Missouri remains fiscally responsible while supporting economic growth.

This week also included the first hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which I am honored to chair this year. The committee began with testimony from the governor’s budget director, who provided additional detail on the budget proposals submitted to the Legislature. These early hearings allow senators to begin reviewing departmental budgets and ask important questions related to new spending decisions, budget cuts and long-term stability.

On the legislative front, seven of my filed bills have now been referred to committees, and hearing dates have been announced for two of them. These hearings provide an important opportunity for committee members, industry groups and citizens to engage in thoughtful discussion and share input on these proposals.

As the session continues, I remain committed to representing the values and priorities of Northwest Missouri and keeping you informed about the work being done at the Capitol.

As always, please feel free to reach out with your thoughts or concerns. My Capitol office phone number is 573-751-1415, my email address is Rusty.Black@senate.mo.gov, and my mailing address is Room 420, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

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