The Missouri legislature just finished the 2026 regular session. January 7 - May 15. The legislators were in session 68 days during that time, plus hundreds of committee hearings and many hours listening to constituents, drafting and debating bills, and sometimes planning strategies to grow government.

The job description for a state representative or senator is spelled out in Article 1, Section 2 of our Missouri state constitution:

That all constitutional government is intended to promote the general welfare of the people; that all persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and the enjoyment of the gains of their own industry; that all persons are created equal and are entitled to equal rights and opportunity under the law; that to give security to these things is the principal office of government, and that when government does not confer this security, it fails in its chief design.

In short, that means legislators’ first job is to protect your liberty and property.

Making new laws comes second.

During this session the Missouri legislature passed 100 total bills. The state house passed 41 bills and the senate passed 39 bills to become law. They are sent to Governor Kehoe for approval. 17 budget bills were passed. 3 Ballot measures were passed (1 house - HJR173 and 2 senate - SJR87, SJR95) Ballot Measures, called Joint Resolutions, are proposed laws that your lawmakers want you to vote on in a democracy style popular vote either on the August 4 or November 3 election day. A future article will look at each of the 3 ballot measures in detail.

Property Tax relief did not pass. Reform of property tax assessments, rates and the State Tax Commission did not pass. Property Taxes were a top priority of both Republicans and Democrats and many Missouri citizens. Yet the house and senate could not find common ground to pass a bill. Rep Tim Taylor led the battle for nearly a year. He and his committee have laid the groundwork for a 2027 property tax reform bill. This is a tough subject because state laws govern how property taxes work, but tax rates are passed by the citizens in local elections and 99% of property taxes stay local. 75% of those taxes are typically for local schools. The other 25% fund local services such as fire, ambulance, library and county roads.

Making new laws is intentionally hard. Most new laws, even though well meaning, either take away innocent citizens freedom, liberty or money. Will 80 new laws make your life better? Time will tell!

We now move into the primary season. Local, state and national primaries are underway for political office. Ask the candidates if we need more laws or less. Ask about property tax reform. Ask the candidates what they think their role is as a legislator, county commissioner, or city council member? Protecting your liberty and property should be a part of their answer.

The Missouri primary election is August 4