Steph Quinn | Missouri Independent

The proposed cuts came out of a ‘core reduction exercise’ requested by Gov. Mike Kehoe. Lawmakers from both parties vowed to undo the reductions but warned the governor could still veto any restoration.

During the first of two days of House committee hearings on the state’s budgets for health and mental health, lawmakers expect difficult decisions ahead. Health and Senior Services Director Sarah Willson pointed to Missouri’s already modest spending on public health.

Missouri Mental Health Director Valerie Huhn told state lawmakers that the department and courts need options to get defendants treatment in their communities.

Critics say the foundation’s mission is vague, leaving questions about how taxpayer dollars will be used.

A proposed constitutional amendment sponsored by state Rep. Darin Chappell would hold Missouri to 80-hour work requirements from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act even if federal law changes.

The Office of Childhood submitted documentation of pending child care requests to access payments for the 53% of Missouri providers impacted by the federal delay.

The Older Americans Act supports programs to keep Missourians 60 and above healthy and connected to their communities. The state’s area agencies on aging say that amid rising costs and demand, federal delays could mean fewer services.

The state’s Department of Mental Health has long acknowledged the problem. With a federal lawsuit alleging the department is illegally denying services to incarcerated Missourians, lawmakers want solutions.

Advocates and legislators praised the self-directed services program for keeping Missourians with developmental disabilities in their communities. But state lawmakers warned the program could be subject to funding restrictions.

Missouri has been working on updating its computer systems to improve how it administers social safety net programs since 2013. New federal rules mean that work will wait until at least 2028.