Missouri Republicans Deliver 74 Bills to Governor as School Election Bill Fails

Missouri Republicans pushed 74 bills to Governor Mike Kehoe’s desk before Friday’s gavel fell, setting a new pace for the session. The package included 17 appropriations measures and 57 non‑appropriations bills, while a last‑minute vote flip killed a school‑election proposal.

Lawmakers concluded a relatively smooth session on Friday, using their supermajority in both chambers to advance priority measures.

Unlike last year, when Senate filibusters over abortion and sick‑leave repeals ended the upper chamber two days early, this year’s debate stayed on the floor through the afternoon.

Republicans highlighted goals of making Missouri safer, stronger, more competitive and more accountable.

By Friday morning, the House and Senate had transmitted 74 bills to Kehoe’s desk, comprising 17 appropriations and 57 non‑appropriations bills.

Rep. Rudy Veit described the legislative atmosphere as cooler this year, especially in the Senate.

After Rep. Colin Wellenkamp returned to vote, the tally reached 82, but a last‑minute Republican vote change defeated the school‑election bill.

The volume of bills shows the GOP supermajority’s ability to move legislation quickly when members are present.

Veit’s comment about a cooler tone suggests fewer confrontations, which may have facilitated the high output.

The defeated school‑election measure illustrates how narrow margins and last‑minute shifts can still alter outcomes, even with a supermajority.

Governor Kehoe now faces decisions on signing or vetoing the 74 bills, with a May 22 deadline to place any referred measures on the primary or general election ballot. He must act before the deadline to avoid automatic veto.

Observers will watch whether he signs the income‑tax abolition resolution and how he handles any contested bills, especially the hemp‑product legislation.

The next focus is Kehoe’s ballot choices and any potential legal challenges to the measures.