My bill HB 2061 on Jewish student safety in public K-20 schools had a lively public hearing in the Emerging Issues Committee that went for 3 1/2 hours wrapping up by 10 PM. Looking for a committee vote this coming Tuesday. For my testimony click here.

We had a successful press conference on the bill that was reported by Channel 2, Channel 4, Channel 5, St. Louis Jewish Light and St. Louis Post Dispatch.

I had the opportunity to attend President Trump's briefing at the White House on the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) and unveiling his Great Health Plan. Missouri has been awarded $216 million for the first year of the RHTP. Dr. Brian Biggers, President of the Missouri State Medical Association, a representative of first responders and I were there to represent Missouri.

I had the opportunity to meet with the President of the Irish Senate, Senator Mike Daly (3rd from left in bottom left picture). We discussed improving trade relations between Missouri and Ireland and by extension the European Union.

Governor Kehoe Outlines Budget Plans in Annual State of the State Address 

Governor Mike Kehoe delivered his State of the State address this week, outlining his administration’s priorities for the coming year and emphasizing economic growth, workforce development, public safety, and continued investment in core state services. Speaking before a joint session of the General Assembly, the Governor highlighted a conservative, growth-oriented agenda and unveiling his FY 2027 budget, marking one year since taking office as Missouri’s 58th governor. Kehoe emphasized restoring long-term fiscal sustainability as state revenues normalize following years of elevated spending fueled by one-time federal funds. 

The governor’s budget reduces more than $600 million from the core general revenue budget to begin addressing a projected $2 billion structural imbalance, while continuing to fund mandatory obligations and preserving core support for K-12 education and higher education. Kehoe described the proposal as a return to pre-pandemic budgeting focused on core government functions and fiscal discipline. 

Public safety remains the administration’s top priority, with $2.3 billion allocated for law enforcement, disaster response and veterans’ homes, including staffing, equipment, and facility upgrades. Economic development funding totals $2.1 billion, supporting job creation, workforce training, childcare, major capital investment, and preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Education funding reaches $10 billion, maintaining the foundation formula while expanding childcare, career training, accountability measures, and school choice initiatives. Healthcare spending totals $25.2 billion, largely driven by Medicaid and focused on rural healthcare access, mental health services, and substance use treatment. 

During his State of the State address, Governor Kehoe specifically called on the General Assembly to advance several priority policy areas. Those include placing the elimination of the state income tax before voters through proposed constitutional amendments (HJR 165 and SJR 83), updating Missouri’s Renewable Energy Standard (HB 2807 and SB 383), and enhancing the Missouri Works program to better incentivize capital investments exceeding $50 million (SB 1443). 

The Governor also urged action on reforms to the juvenile justice system (HB 2498 and SB 888), comprehensive sentencing reform (HB 2637, HB 2880, SB 882, SB 1294, SB 894, with another proposal forthcoming), and allowing pregnant women facing abuse to finalize divorce proceedings (HB 1908). 

Additional priorities highlighted in the speech include increasing regulations on industrial solar developments (SB 849), establishing public school open enrollment (HB 2604 and SB 971), implementing A–F public school report cards (HB 2539 and SB 1194), and transferring oversight of the Missouri State High School Activities Association to the state (HB 2278 and SB 863). 

Committees

Economic Development

Emerging Issues

Health and Mental Health

Professional Registration and Licensing

Joint Committee on Tax Policy

Joint Committee on the Life Science (Chair)

Missouri Receives $814 Million Investment to Expand Broadband Access Across the State 

Governor Mike Kehoe announced this week that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has approved Missouri’s plan to invest more than $814 million to expand high-speed broadband access statewide. The funding, administered through the Department of Economic Development’s Office of Broadband Development, will bring reliable internet service to more than 200,000 unserved and underserved locations, many in rural and hard-to-reach areas. Approval of Missouri’s final proposal under the federal Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program allows the state to move forward with agreements with internet service providers, which will have up to four years to complete network buildouts. State officials emphasized that broadband access is now essential infrastructure, supporting economic growth, education, healthcare, and workforce development. The approved plan relies primarily on end-to-end fiber service, supplemented by satellite and fixed wireless technologies, and preserves significant remaining funds from Missouri’s total BEAD allocation for competitive future economic investments. 

Missouri Awarded $216 Million to Strengthen Rural Healthcare 

Governor Mike Kehoe announced Missouri has secured more than $216 million in first-year funding through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, placing the state among the top ten nationally. The competitive award will support efforts to expand access to care, improve health outcomes, and promote long-term sustainability in rural communities. 

The funding will be administered through the MO HealthNet Division and focuses on locally driven solutions that strengthen hospitals, clinics, and community-based providers while improving care coordination and addressing longstanding rural health disparities. State officials emphasized the collaborative approach behind Missouri’s plan, which involved multiple state agencies and healthcare partners. 

Governor Kehoe said the investment represents a significant opportunity to modernize rural healthcare delivery and ensure Missouri communities are better positioned to meet future needs. 

Please feel free to contact me. My legislative assistant Mirhad Hasanovic and I would be happy to help with any issues you might have with the State of Missouri.

The District 89 State Representative Office is located at the Missouri State Capitol, 201 W Capitol Ave, Suite 201G, Jefferson City, MO 65101. During legislative session, the office is open Monday-Thursday, 8:00am-5:00pm.

I look forward to hearing from you. My door is always open. If anyone you know may want to join this email update communications list please share this link with them to easily join at Capitol Report Sign-up.

Thank You,

Missouri State Representative, District 89

George Hruza, MD MBA

573-751-1544

George.Hruza@house.mo.gov