The 101st General Assembly Begins
The 101st General Assembly commenced with its first Regular Session on Wednesday, Jan. 6.
Lawmakers spent the balance of the afternoon taking the oath of office, formally introducing new and re-elected members in the Senate, and voting for members to serve in leadership positions.
The leadership in both chambers for the 101st General Assembly is as follows:
House
- Rob Vescovo (R-Arnold): Speaker of the House
- John Wiemann (R-O’Fallon): Speaker Pro Tem
- Dean Plocher (R-St. Louis): Majority Floor Leader
- Hannah Kelly (R-Mountain Grove): Assistant Majority Floor Leader
- Allen Andrews (R-Grant City): Majority Whip
- Sara Walsh (R-Ashland): Majority Caucus Chair
- Ann Kelley (R-Lamar): Majority Caucus Secretary
- Crystal Quade (D-Springfield): Minority Floor Leader
- Richard Brown (D-Kansas City): Assistant Minority Floor Leader
- Doug Clemens (D-St. Ann): Minority Whip
- Ingrid Burnett (D-Kansas City): Minority Caucus Chair
- LaKeySha Bosley (D-St. Louis): Minority Caucus Vice-Chair
- Gretchen Bangert (D-Florissant): Minority Caucus Secretary
- Sarah Unsicker (D-Shrewsbury): Minority Caucus Policy Chair
Senate
- Dave Schatz (R-Sullivan): President Pro Tem
- Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia): Majority Floor Leader
- Bill White (R- Joplin): Assistant Majority Floor Leader
- Dan Hegeman (R-Andrew): Majority Caucus Chair
- Jeanie Riddle (R-Mokane): Majority Caucus Secretary
- Tony Luetkemeyer (R-Parkville): Majority Caucus Whip
- John Rizzo (D-Kansas City): Minority Floor Leader
- Brian Williams (D-University City): Assistant Minority Floor Leader
- Karla May (D-St. Louis): Minority Caucus Chairwoman
- Steven Roberts (D-St. Louis): Minority Caucus Whip
Each chamber also first read pre-filed and introduced legislation.
Committee assignments for budget and policy committees are expected within the next two weeks.
Governor Parson Releases $26 million in FY 2021 Funds, Provides $68 million in Federal Funding for Higher Education Institutions
On Wednesday, Jan. 6, Governor Parson released previously restricted higher education funding, including over $23 million for Missouri’s public higher education institutions. "Thanks to our Show Me Strong Recovery Plan, we continue to outpace our economic recovery forecast, which is why we are able to release these funds today," Governor Parson said. "This is great news for our overall state and economy, and we will continue to evaluate our budget and spending as we move forward into the new year." Bright Flight received $1.7 million of its $3.2 million restricted amount while Project Lead the Way, Greenley Research Center, and UMSL International Collaboration Program recouped their full previously withheld funds.
View the full list of released funding here.
Governor Parson also released $68 million in federal funds to Missouri’s public universities and State Technical College of Missouri, with a request that those institutions use the funds to address deferred maintenance needs. “Projects like roof repair and updating an old boiler aren’t flashy, but they are absolutely essential to maintaining safe and effective learning environments for students,” Commissioner Zora Mulligan said.
The $68 million was part of public universities’ and State Tech’s core operating appropriations for FY 2021. The funds are commonly referred to as FMAP and were appropriated in HB 3 (2020) through the Federal Budget Stabilization Fund. View the FMAP appropriations by institution here.
Finally, the governor announced an award of $4 million in CARES Act funds to St. Louis Community College for its Forest Park campus to establish and expand onsite child care facilities. This investment will support parents who are working to pursue education or training services, faculty and staff, and community members. MDHEWD has partnered with the Missouri Department of Social Services on this initiative.
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