Missouri lawmakers return for final week with education bills, other items unresolved

May 11, 2026 - 22:14

After years of budget chaos, Republican infighting and historically low productivity, Missouri lawmakers are entering the final week of session with something that feels unfamiliar: a pile of unfinished business. The clock is ticking as the legislature races to wrap up before the constitutional deadline, and several major items remain unresolved.

Education is at the top of the list. A proposal to expand school choice through tax-credit scholarships has stalled, with disagreements over funding levels and oversight. Another bill dealing with teacher pay and retention is also stuck, despite broad support for raising salaries. Lawmakers are also wrestling with changes to public school funding formulas, which could shift money between districts.

Beyond education, other issues are competing for attention. A measure to restrict foreign ownership of agricultural land has been bogged down by amendments. There are also lingering fights over election procedures, including voter ID requirements and early voting rules. Some Republicans want to push through a tax cut package, but the price tag and its impact on future budgets remain a sticking point.

The final week is always a scramble, but this year feels different. With a history of gridlock and missed deadlines, the pressure is on to prove that the legislature can actually get things done. Whether they will or not is anyone's guess.