The Pulse in Missouri Politics: September 14, 2025
Gamble & Schlemeier
The Sequel Special Session Adjourns
The House and Senate passed a new congressional district map, pushing the Kansas City–dominated Democratic 5th District into a rural area, shifting it from blue to red. Incumbent of the 5th Congressional District, Emanuel Cleaver, testified before the Senate committee, unsuccessfully presenting his case for why the boundaries should not be changed. Whether the seat flips to a Republican one is now up to the voters in November 2026, when Congressman Cleaver will face the winner of the Republican primary. Many Republican candidates have been rumored to be considering a run, but no official announcements have been made to date. The Governor is expected to sign the new map in the coming days.
The second measure passed requires constitutional amendments proposed by citizens to receive both a simple majority of the statewide vote and a majority in all eight congressional districts. This change must be approved by voters next November before it can take effect. Constitutional amendments proposed by the legislature would still only require the current simple majority of the statewide vote.
Prediction of impact on future sessions: The most frequently asked question is what passing these two items, by closing off debate, will do to the productivity of the 2026 legislative session beginning in January. Predictions range from “nothing” to “a complete meltdown.” I have the answer for you, and I’ll tell you in January.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Change
While the passage of these two measures was predicted by the hallway crowd in the State Capitol, what did catch many by surprise was the President Pro Tem of the Senate replacing Senator Lincoln as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee shortly after he voted against the legislation. The President Pro Tem of the Senate had been contemplating a change to that top chairmanship since being elected to her leadership post.
Senator Rusty Black, from northwest Missouri, was given the gavel and will now chair the committee responsible for deciding how the state spends its money. While there had been speculation that Senator Hough would resign from his seat if this change occurred, his social media statement confirms he will return for his final year (2026) to represent the 30th District, which includes the city of Springfield.
Next Speaker of the House Elected – Current Speaker Running for Senate
Representative Alex Riley has been elected as the next Speaker of the House. Current Speaker Jon Patterson will serve his final year in the role in 2026 before terming out, and Riley will take over in January 2027. Riley was unopposed and is regarded as a stable and fair floor leader, continuing the leadership qualities the caucus values in the current Speaker. His district includes the City of Springfield.
Speaker Patterson made it crystal clear this week that once his term in the House concludes, he will run for Senate District 8 (Eastern Jackson County) to replace term-limited Senator Mike Cierpiot. Cierpiot is the longest-serving senator of the term-limit era, due to his initial election in a mid-term special election.
Two Prominent “Interim” Committees Continue Their Work
The Special Committee formed to address property taxes and the Governor’s task force to recraft the formula that distributes state aid to local school districts are both scheduled for upcoming hearings.
The House Property Tax Committee has heard hours of testimony from citizens around the state regarding the jump in tax bills they have received on their homes. The committee has not formally discussed its recommendations to address the concerns heard throughout the summer; however, those discussions will begin soon and likely have informally. They will want to present their findings prior to the next legislative session.
The Senate joined the effort and established its own committee. Their committee met earlier this week and is having similar discussions and hearing much of the same testimony presented to the House Committee. The Senate committee chairman solicited solutions from the members and notified the public of the Senate Property Tax Committee Portal, which is available to receive comments. One theme that is beginning to emerge from both committees is a reluctance to dictate to local assessors what to do. One potential solution being discussed is removing the mandate that the State Tax Commission enforce a minimum standard on local assessors for home values, which may alleviate some of this pressure.
The Foundation Formula Task Force is aiming to complete its work in time for the 2027 legislative session, as any change to the formula will need legislative approval. The committee is in high gear, with six meetings scheduled between now and early December. The theme of “kids first” seems to have unanimous support. We will see what other recommendations garner that level of agreement. The formula has not been revamped in 20 years, and the committee is looking for a solution that can last another 20 years.
August General Revenue Report
Net general revenue collections for August 2025 increased by 9.5 percent compared to those for August 2024, from $942.7 million last year to $1.03 billion this year. Net general revenue collections for 2026 fiscal year-to-date increased 5.3 percent compared to August 2024, from $1.78 billion last year to $1.87 billion this year.
GROSS COLLECTIONS BY TAX TYPE
Individual Income Tax Collections
Increased 8.7 percent for the year, from $1.13 billion last year to $1.23 billion this year.
Increased 12.7 percent for the month
Pass Through Entity Tax Collections
Decreased 26.8 percent for the year, from $36.2 million last year to $26.5 million this year.
Decreased 76.7 percent for the month.
Sales and Use Tax Collections
Increased 0.8 percent for the year, from $596.12 million last year to $601 million this year.
Increased 0.9 percent for the month.
Corporate Income and Corporate Franchise Tax Collections
Decreased 12.5 percent for the year, from $56.5 million last year to $49.4 million this year.
Increased 118.8 percent for the month.
All Other Collections
Decreased 5.3 percent for the year, from $143.8 million last year to $136.2 million this year.
Increased 6.0 percent for the month.
Refunds
Decreased 8.5 percent for the year, from $187.71 million last year to $171.7 million this year.
Decreased 14.1 percent for the month.
Attorney General Profile
Attorney General Profile – Catherine Hanaway
PUBLIC OFFICE:
Attorney General of Missouri (appointed 2025)
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri (appointed 2005 by President George W. Bush)
Missouri House of Representatives (1998–2004), including House Minority Leader and Speaker of the House
HIGHER EDUCATION: Creighton University, The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law
SPOUSE: Chris
CHILDREN: Lucy and John
BIOGRAPHY: Catherine L. Hanaway was sworn in as Missouri’s 45th Attorney General on September 8, 2025. A seasoned trial lawyer and proven public servant, she has built her career around one guiding principle: protecting Missouri families.
As Attorney General, she is committed to making the Office a force for safety and accountability. Her bold agenda focuses on fighting crime, protecting consumers, ensuring the vulnerable are safeguarded from fraud and abuse, and defending both the U.S. and Missouri Constitution. She has pledged to pursue justice for victims of violence, root out corruption, and stand against schemes that threaten Missourians’ livelihoods. For Attorney General Hanaway, the mission of the Office is simple: uphold the laws as written and protect the people of Missouri.
Before taking office, Attorney General Hanaway led Husch Blackwell LLP, a national law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers headquartered in Kansas City, as the first woman to become Chair of the firm. She built a reputation for excellence in handling high-stakes litigation, including cases involving fraud, financial misconduct, and regulatory compliance. Her leadership helped guide the firm through record growth.
Attorney General Hanaway previously served as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri. She personally tried cases to jury verdicts and led the development of new prosecution strategies in complex healthcare, fraud, and white-collar crime cases. As the chief federal law enforcement officer for the region, she supervised more than 4,000 criminal and civil cases, along with a staff of more than 100 attorneys and investigators.
Attorney General Hanaway first entered public service as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives, where she made history as the first and only woman elected Speaker of the House. In that role, she advanced legislation to strengthen public safety, protect Second Amendment rights, and promote government accountability, establishing her reputation as a strong defender of Missourians’ freedoms.
Attorney General Hanaway earned a Bachelor of Arts from Creighton University and received a Juris Doctor from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.
Attorney General Hanaway resides in St. Louis with her husband, Chris, and is a devoted mother to two children, Lucy and John. She has been deeply involved in her community through service on civic and professional boards, including serving as the Chair of the Regional Business Council and as a member of the St. Louis Regional Crime Commission Board.
Lobbyist Changes
Erin Schrimpf added Hahn DeBoef LLC; and deleted Empower Missouri (formerly Mo Association For Social Welfare), Missouri Budget Project, StateLine Strategies LLP, Discovery Center of Springfield, and The Forest Kansas City LLC.
Ron Berry and Christopher Schoeman added Missouri Tow Truck Association.
Brittany Robbins, Ron Berry, and Christopher Schoeman deleted Active and Retired Missouri State Employees (ARMSE).
Heath Clarkston, Michael Henderson, and Doug Nelson deleted The Good Food Institute Inc., and Plant Based Foods Association.
James Harris deleted Evolution Festival.
Mark Levison added Willert Home Products.
Rockne Miller added Osage Nation.
Jorgen Schlemeier, Sarah Schlemeier, David Jackson, Jeff Brooks, and Nikki Strong added Hemp Beverage Alliance.
Jeff Brooks, John Gamble, Kathryn Gamble, David Jackson, Sarah Schlemeier, and Nikki Strong deleted Plift.
Michael Grote deleted Arrow Senior Living, and City of Ashland, Missouri.
Holly Rehder added Mallinckrodt LLC.
Derek Coats added Missouri Primary Care Association.
Brett Cavender added Missouri Hospital Association.