Category Archives: Missouri House

A lack of imagination…

26 Wednesday Aug 2026

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, Missouri House

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…from Gov. Mike Kehoe (r) and the right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly.

Books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library which were sent to a Missouri child.

From HB 2002 (the Missouri Budget 2026-2027), truly passed:

HB 2002, pg. 21 [May 2026]

[….]
1 Section 2.300. To the Department of Elementary and Secondary
2 Education
3 For the Office of Childhood
4 For a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children
5 from birth to age five
6 From General Revenue Fund (1101) ……………………………………………………………….$2,000,000
[….]

How nice, right?

Except, no:

Missouri cuts budget to Imagination Library, enrollment frozen
BY Jacob Meikel Missouri
PUBLISHED 10:16 AM CT Jun. 03, 2026

ST. LOUIS—The foundation that oversees Dolly Parton Imagination Library says it is working with the Missouri legislature to restore full funding for the program in the state.

The state legislature recently passed its fiscal year 2027 budget, but a cutback in funding for the Imagination Library from nearly $6 million to roughly $2 million puts the program at risk.

In a memo posted to its website, the program says the cutback in funding would close to new enrollments on July 1 of this year.

The program would also continue to send new books to kids enrolled as funding allows, which the program says could run out of funding within four to six months.

The Dollywood Foundation says it’s working with the Missouri House and Senate to restore funding before the budget is finalized and is signed by Governor Mike Kehoe.

Imagination Library is encouraging families to reach out to local representatives to share the importance the program is to their children.

“…The Dollywood Foundation says it’s working with the Missouri House and Senate to restore funding before the budget is finalized and is signed by Governor Mike Kehoe…”

It didn’t happen.

From the Imagination Library website today, in a response to an online query about the availability of the program for a child in Missouri:

Not available in Missouri.

Because, by a vote of the right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly, supporting a children’s reading program is less important than cutting taxes for billionaires and millionaires. Apparently.

Mike Kehoe (r) [2026 file photo].

Governor Mike Kehoe (r) tries to have it both ways:

Dolly Parton’s Passing and Imagination Library Funding
August 26, 2026

Governor Kehoe joins the nation and world in mourning the loss of the legendary Dolly Parton.

The Governor is a strong supporter of children’s literacy and education. Given the seriousness of Missouri’s budget imbalance, tough decisions are being made to restore responsible spending across the entirety of state government.

The state budget Governor Kehoe signed in June provided $2 million in funding to the Imagination Library program. Books continue to be provided to Missouri children enrolled in the program.

Yeah, right.

Future of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library children’s book program uncertain in Missouri
Program may not continue beyond 2026 due to funding cuts

The future of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library free book program for children is uncertain in Missouri due to funding cuts.

As part of the state fiscal year 2027 budget, funding for the program was slashed down to $2 million. Previously, the program operated with $6 million in funding.

Whether the program will continue beyond 2026 is still up in the air, according to a regional director for the Dollywood Foundation, which oversees the program.

“Unfortunately, the state has not fulfilled its commitment to sustain full funding for the program,” Regional Director Michelle Anthony said in an email. “The funds needed to continue Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Missouri have been significantly reduced in the state budget. With the currently allocated funding, the program can continue operating through the end of 2026.”

[….]

Kehoe’s statement went on to say that books “continue to be provided to Missouri children enrolled in the program.”

However, once the $2 million runs out, date unclear, children will not receive a monthly book in the mail.

The program cannot accept new families due to the shortage of funds.

[….]

Yeah, no.

Because, by a vote of the right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly and with the approval of Governor Mike Kehoe (r), supporting a children’s reading program is less important than cutting taxes for billionaires and millionaires.

The role call vote on HB 2002:

Rep. Brandon Phelps (r) voted for the budget with the $4,000,000.00 cut to cripple the program.

Brandon Phelps (r) [2025 file photo].

He has plenty of partisan/rubber stamp company.

Own it.

The punch line, two years ago:

Hello, Dolly! Dolly Parton to Visit Missouri for Statewide Imagination Library Celebration Event
Aug 14, 2024

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is hosting an event with Dolly Parton and her Imagination Library team on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 11 a.m. in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will celebrate the success so far of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Missouri and encourage more Missouri families to enroll.

Imagination Library of Missouri partners, early childhood education stakeholders, and other special guests were invited to attend the event in-person. DESE has partnered with Kansas City PBS to livestream the event statewide so all of Missouri can share in the celebration. Families, parent groups, classrooms, and school and community partners can watch the livestream.

“As the former Senator who carried the Imagination Library of Missouri legislation, to now being in the role of Commissioner, this is a full-circle moment,” said Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger. “Since the program launched in November 2023, we have enrolled more than 137,000 Missouri children in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. We hope Dolly’s visit to Missouri will help us promote the program even further, reaching the families of the remaining 262,000 Missouri children who are eligible.”

Missouri is the 14th state to commit to a statewide Imagination Library program, but no other state has been fully funded, with all children under age five eligible, on the day the statewide program launched.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dolly to the Show-Me State and join her to celebrate the Imagination Library program,” said Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson. “Ensuring Missouri’s children have a quality education is near and dear to us, and we know the earlier we can get children excited about reading and learning the better equipped they are to find success and achieve their American Dream down the road. We appreciate Dolly, her team, and DESE for helping bring these quality educational resources to Missouri children and continue to encourage all eligible Missouri parents to utilize this program.”

All Missouri children under five years old are eligible to register for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. There is no deadline to register. The Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by providing age-appropriate books each month to children free of charge. To receive books, a parent or guardian must register their child on the Imagination Library national website. Books will be mailed directly to the homes of registered children every month, until their fifth birthday.

The statewide expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was made possible through Section 178.694, RSMo, and $11 million was included in DESE’s Fiscal Year 2024 and 2025 budgets for the distribution of books.
[….]

Mike Kehoe (r) [2024 file photo].

“…Ensuring Missouri’s children have a quality education is near and dear to us, and we know the earlier we can get children excited about reading and learning the better equipped they are to find success and achieve their American Dream down the road. We appreciate Dolly, her team, and DESE for helping bring these quality educational resources to Missouri children and continue to encourage all eligible Missouri parents to utilize this program…”

That was then. Not now.

Taigan Plummer (D) in the 54th Legislative District – Town Hall – Warrensburg, Missouri – August 21, 2026

21 Friday Aug 2026

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Taigan Plummer (D).

Taigan Plummer, the Democratic Party candidate in the 54th Legislative District, held an open public town hall this evening in Warrensburg at the Trails Regional Library meeting room.

The town hall started at 6:00 p.m. and lasted until past 7:30 p.m. The wide-ranging discussion with those in attendance included public education, vocational education, access to health care, campaign finance, Amendment 5 (and it’s overwhelming rejection by Missouri voters), economic development, public service, affordability, housing, and investment in the public good.

Taigan Plummer (D): Candidate Town Hall – August 21, 2026

10 Monday Aug 2026

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Taigan Plummer, the Democratic Party candidate in the 54th Legislative district [2026 file photo].

Taigan Plummer (D) will be hosting a public town hall at the Trails Regional Library branch in Warrensburg at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21st.

Mike Kehoe (r) and the right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly lay eggs

05 Wednesday Aug 2026

Posted by in campaign finance, Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, Missouri House, Missouri Senate

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A king’s ransom…

All that out-of-state dark money gone to waste. Heh.

Amendment 4 (HJR 3) would have placed restrictive requirements on initiative petitions.

Amendment 5 (HJR 173) would have repealed the state income tax, providing right wingnut welfare for millionaires and billionaires while increasing the regressive tax burden on working Missourians.

The results:

State of Missouri – State of Missouri – Primary Election, August 04, 2026
Unofficial Results
as of 8/5/2026 6:45:40 AM

[….]

Constitutional Amendment No. 4 3235 of 3235 Precincts Reported
YES 275,040 19.677%
NO 1,122,748 80.323%
Total Votes: 1,397,788

Constitutional Amendment No. 5 3235 of 3235 Precincts Reported
YES 233,309 16.684%
NO 1,165,085 83.316%
Total Votes: 1,398,394

[emphasis added]

Results in select counties:

Boone
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 54 of 54 Precincts Reported
YES 7,042 15.285%
NO 39,028 84.715%
Total Votes: 46,070

Constitutional Amendment No. 5 54 of 54 Precincts Reported
YES 6,292 13.662%
NO 39,763 86.338%
Total Votes: 46,055

[emphasis added]

Cass
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 48 of 48 Precincts Reported
YES 5,914 23.761%
NO 18,976 76.239%
Total Votes: 24,890

Constitutional Amendment No. 5 48 of 48 Precincts Reported
YES 5,437 21.862%
NO 19,433 78.138%
Total Votes: 24,870

[emphasis added]

Clay
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 82 of 82 Precincts Reported
YES 10,517 17.872%
NO 48,330 82.128%
Total Votes: 58,847

Constitutional Amendment No. 5 82 of 82 Precincts Reported
YES 10,686 18.174%
NO 48,112 81.826%
Total Votes: 58,798

[emphasis added]

De Kalb
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 7 of 7 Precincts Reported
YES 452 20.527%
NO 1,750 79.473%
Total Votes: 2,202

Constitutional Amendment No. 5 7 of 7 Precincts Reported
YES 315 14.292%
NO 1,889 85.708%
Total Votes: 2,204

[emphasis added]

Greene
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 85 of 85 Precincts Reported
YES 12,418 19.364%
NO 51,710 80.636%
Total Votes: 64,128

Constitutional Amendment No. 5 85 of 85 Precincts Reported
YES 10,241 15.969%
NO 53,890 84.031%
Total Votes: 64,131

[emphasis added]

Henry
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 10 of 10 Precincts Reported
YES 1,179 20.731%
NO 4,508 79.269%
Total Votes: 5,687

Constitutional Amendment No. 5 10 of 10 Precincts Reported
YES 932 16.337%
NO 4,773 83.663%
Total Votes: 5,705

Johnson
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 10 of 10 Precincts Reported
YES 2,237 22.580%
NO 7,670 77.420%
Total Votes: 9,907

Constitutional Amendment No. 5 10 of 10 Precincts Reported
YES 1,687 17.030%
NO 8,219 82.970%
Total Votes: 9,906

[emphasis added]

Moniteau
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 11 of 11 Precincts Reported
YES 853 21.788%
NO 3,062 78.212%
Total Votes: 3,915

Constitutional Amendment No. 5 11 of 11 Precincts Reported
YES 583 14.865%
NO 3,339 85.135%
Total Votes: 3,922

[emphasis added]

Kansas City
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 73 of 73 Precincts Reported
YES 5,681 9.703%
NO 52,867 90.297%
Total Votes: 58,548

Constitutional Amendment No. 5 73 of 73 Precincts Reported
YES 6,454 11.022%
NO 52,101 88.978%
Total Votes: 58,555

[emphasis added]

St Louis City
Constitutional Amendment No. 4 184 of 184 Precincts Reported
YES 5,561 9.046%
NO 55,912 90.954%
Total Votes: 61,473

Constitutional Amendment No. 5 184 of 184 Precincts Reported
YES 6,355 10.327%
NO 55,181 89.673%
Total Votes: 61,536

[emphasis added]

You get the picture.

Governor Mike Kehoe (r):

Amendment 5 August Primary Election Results
August 4, 2026

Throughout this conversation on eliminating the state income tax, we made the case that Missouri should think boldly about its future, challenge the status quo, and pursue policies that make our state more competitive.

While Amendment 5 did not earn the support it needed, I believe our work is far from over.

I remain committed to working with the General Assembly in the years ahead on ways to continue cutting taxes, growing our state’s economy, and pursuing conservative policies that help Missouri families keep more of what they earn.

Give it a rest, loser.

Mike Kehoe (r) [2025 file photo].

Denny Hoskins (r) is a pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the Missouri Constitution, said no one ever…

04 Tuesday Aug 2026

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, Missouri House, Missouri Senate

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Denny Hoskins (r) [2022 file photo].

Missouri redistricting referendum blocked by secretary of state, drawing lawsuit
Denny Hoskins argues the Missouri Constitution does not allow a referendum on a congressional redistricting plan while refusing to say whether enough signatures had been collected to place the congressional map on the ballot

By Rudi Keller
August 4, 2026 6:08 pm

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins blocked a public vote on the state’s new congressional map Tuesday, declaring a referendum petition unconstitutional a few hours before polls closed in the primary election.

He refused to tell reporters at a Jefferson City press conference whether the petition had enough valid signatures to qualify for the November ballot. It didn’t matter, he said, because the Missouri Constitution does not allow a referendum on redistricting.

“Whether they had one signature or 500 million signatures doesn’t really matter because they are unconstitutional,” Hoskins said at a news conference.

The political action committee People Not Politicians turned in more than 300,000 signatures in December, and local election authorities spent hundreds of hours verifying whether the people who signed were registered voters.

[….]

“According to Missouri state law, I had until today at 5 p.m. to certify those signatures,” Hoskins said. “As a certified public accountant, I want to make sure all my ‘i’s are dotted and T’s are crossed.”

[…..]

“…Noun, verb, CPA…”

Detail oriented, eh?

“Gerrymander This”

From the Missouri Democratic Party:

Russ Carnahan, Chair, Missouri Democratic Party [2026 file photo].

Missouri Democratic Party Statement on Secretary Hoskins’ Continued Failure to Do His Job
August 4, 2026

Missouri Democratic Party Chair Russ Carnahan has issued the following statement following Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’ last minute refusal to certify the petitions by Respect Missouri Voters and People Not Politicians that a historic, record-breaking number of Missourians, of all political beliefs, signed and submitted:

‘At the end of the day, Hoskins’ desperate attempt to avoid the will of Missourians is not surprising, unexpected, or even creative. This is a craven power grab by a Republican politician in Jefferson City who is afraid of what will happen if Missourians will be allowed to vote. Let’s be clear, Missourians of every political leaning — Democrat, Republican, and independent — signed these petitions. It is not everyday Missourians that are opposed to their own right to vote, it is the Republican politicians in Jefferson City,’ said Chair Russ Carnahan. ‘We support the right of all Missourians to vote and ultimately expect, after a brief court battle, that they will get that opportunity.’

###

Previously:

HB 1: Gerrymander this (September 9, 2025)

Can play with AI, can’t be bothered to certify petition signatures (June 7, 2026)

Joined at the hip

11 Thursday Jun 2026

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It’s kind of difficult to distance yourself from an increasing unpopular and disengaged cult leader when his dark money people keep dumping mailers in your district joining the two of you at the hip.

Brandon Phelps (r) [2025 file photo].

Still no complaints from Brandon Phelps (r) about these PAC expenditures.

In today’s mail:

“President Trump’s school choice agenda is a grand slam!….”

Privatizing K-12 education and defunding Warrensburg R-VI Schools is not going to go over very well in this legislative district.

“….Representative Brandon Phelps
Stood up for President Trump and our families when we needed it most….”

What, no mention of affordable housing, access to affordable health care, nor grocery and gas prices? Go figure.

“…Education Freedom Agenda…”

If you’re sitting at a table with grifters and you’re wondering who the mark is, it’s you.

Paid for by American Federation for Children, Inc.
[….]

Who?

[….] The American Federation for Children (AFC) is a conservative 501(c)(4) dark money group that promotes the school privatization agenda via the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and other avenues. It is the 501(c)(4) arm of the 501(c)(3) non-profit group the Alliance for School Choice.[1] The group was organized and is funded by the billionaire DeVos family, who are the heirs to the Amway fortune. [….]

American Federation for Children
November 30, 2016
Bill Oberndorf will succeed Betsy DeVos as chairman of the American Federation for Children. Bill brings more than 25 years of experience in helping to advance the cause of parental choice and education freedom. Read more about him!
[….]

About AFC

THE CAUSE
When funding for education follows students to the school of their choice, families win. We believe all parents should have a wide range of high-quality educational options to choose from, regardless of income.
[….]

What could possibly go wrong?

“…When funding for education follows students to the school of their choice…” Defunding local public schools.

Nope.

Follow the money. It’s always the money.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: dismantle the public good, privatize everything (July 28, 2018)

Campaign Finance: Public education, eh? (September 15, 2019)

Campaign Finance: oxymoron (July 14, 2020)

Campaign Finance: of, by, and for the children (July 24, 2020)

Campaign Finance: in a name, sort of (October 6, 2020)

Campaign Finance: Who profits? (July 12, 2022)

Campaign Finance: Why not just name it ‘The Committee to Defund Public Education in Missouri’? (July 11, 2024)

Campaign Finance: the money behind the “school choice” voucher scam designed to defund public education (July 30, 2024)

What a friend we have in Donald (r), and Betsy, and…June 10, 2026)

What a friend we have in Donald (r), and Betsy, and…

10 Wednesday Jun 2026

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It’s kind of difficult to distance yourself from an increasing unpopular and disengaged cult leader when his dark money people dump a mailing in your district joining the two of you at the hip.

Brandon Phelps (r) [2025 file photo].

And, so far, no complaints from Brandon Phelps (r).

In the mail this week:

Representative Brandon Phelps
Stood up for President Trump and our families when we needed it most
Call & thank him for fighting for Missouri parents and kids!
[….]
Voted to fully fund public schools
Championed school choice for families
Expanded parental rights
Raised pay for Missouri teachers

“…Championed school choice for families…” Uh, we’re certain the patrons of and teachers and professionals serving Warrensburg R-VI Schools would like to know about this.

Thank you!
Representative Brandon Phelps
For standing with President Trump & his education freedom agenda

Donald Trump (r) is calling the shots for our local public schools? Yeah, no.

Paid for by American Federation for Children, Inc.
[….]

Who?

[….] The American Federation for Children (AFC) is a conservative 501(c)(4) dark money group that promotes the school privatization agenda via the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and other avenues. It is the 501(c)(4) arm of the 501(c)(3) non-profit group the Alliance for School Choice.[1] The group was organized and is funded by the billionaire DeVos family, who are the heirs to the Amway fortune. [….]

American Federation for Children
November 30, 2016
Bill Oberndorf will succeed Betsy DeVos as chairman of the American Federation for Children. Bill brings more than 25 years of experience in helping to advance the cause of parental choice and education freedom. Read more about him!
[….]

About AFC

THE CAUSE
When funding for education follows students to the school of their choice, families win. We believe all parents should have a wide range of high-quality educational options to choose from, regardless of income.
[….]

What could possibly go wrong?

“…When funding for education follows students to the school of their choice…” Defunding local public schools. Yeah, that’ll go over really well in the 54th Legislative District.

Follow the money. It’s always the money.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: dismantle the public good, privatize everything (July 28, 2018)

Campaign Finance: Public education, eh? (September 15, 2019)

Campaign Finance: oxymoron (July 14, 2020)

Campaign Finance: of, by, and for the children (July 24, 2020)

Campaign Finance: in a name, sort of (October 6, 2020)

Campaign Finance: Who profits? (July 12, 2022)

Campaign Finance: Why not just name it ‘The Committee to Defund Public Education in Missouri’? (July 11, 2024)

Campaign Finance: the money behind the “school choice” voucher scam designed to defund public education (July 30, 2024)

Cass County Democrats – Back to Blue Dinner – Belton, Missouri – April 25, 2026

26 Sunday Apr 2026

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Cass County Democrats held their annual Back to Blue dinner in Belton, Missouri yesterday evening. Well over 100 individuals gathered for dinner, conversation, speeches, and to recognize individuals and groups for their party and community activism over the past year.

The Master of Ceremonies for the evening:

Jessica Podhola.

Russ Carnahan, Chair, Missouri Democratic Party.

Loree Voight, Chair, Cass County Democratic Central Committee.

Ray James, Chair, Johnson County Democratic Central Committee.

Yvonne Reeves Chong, Vice-chair, Missouri Democratic Party.

Legislative district candidates:

Jon Pennell, the Democratic Party candidate in the 55th Legislative District.

Staci Czar, a Democratic Party candidate in the 56th Legislative District.

Liz Davenport, the Democratic Party candidate in the 62nd Legislative District.

Taigen Plummer, the Democratic Party candidate in the 54th Legislative District.

Everyday Hero Awards, accepted on behalf of their caucus colleagues in the Missouri General Assembly:

Senator Patty Lewis.

Ashley Aune, House Minority Floor Leader.

The 2026 Harold L. Caskey Cass County Democrat of the Year:

Diane Yeamans

Keynote Speaker, Will Westmoreland, The Back Forty:

Will Westmoreland.

How’s that working out for you?

28 Friday Nov 2025

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Brandon Phelps (r) [2025 file photo].

From the Missouri State Treasurer:

MOScholars: Tax Credits

Under the guidelines established by the Missouri General Assembly in 2021, MOScholars tax credits may be awarded to individuals and businesses that file a Missouri income tax return and make an eligible contribution to a certified educational assistance organization (EAO). These private contributions for tax credits fund scholarship accounts for students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and students living in low-income households.

A MOScholars tax credit is equal to 100% of an eligible donation, not to exceed 50% of the donor’s state tax liability for the tax year the credit is claimed. MOScholars tax credits may be carried forward for four (4) subsequent tax years. The tax credit is not sellable, transferrable, or refundable.
[….]

About your tax dollars:

Two-day trial reveals inner workings of Missouri private school voucher program
Less than 2% of MOScholars students are funded through donations this school year. The rest depend on general revenue from the state budget
By: Annelise Hanshaw
November 26, 2025

More than 98% of scholarships administered by the MOScholars program this school year are funded by Missouri taxpayers. And though there are strict eligibility requirements for private-school scholarships, eligibility isn’t checked after the initial scholarship is awarded or for siblings of students who received a scholarship.

The revelations about the inner workings of Missouri’s private school voucher program came to light over the course of a two-day trial in Cole County Circuit Court this week.

[….]

When state lawmakers created the program in a 2021 bill, they set it up to run on donations that are eligible for a 100% tax credit up to half of a donor’s tax liability. In the first three years of the program, donations totaled $33.8 million.

Gov. Mike Kehoe announced in January that he intended to bring a major infusion of funding to the program through a $50 million appropriation of general revenue. This windfall for MOScholars has allowed the state to nearly triple the amount of scholarships awarded this fall.

“If not for general revenue, would many of (the new) scholars be able to receive a scholarship?” Assistant Attorney General Peter Donahue asked the treasurer’s director of programs, Trent Blair.

“No,” Blair answered.

[….]

Of 6,418 scholarships awarded this school year, only 111 are funded through tax credits. That includes the 2,405 students who were in the program last year. So if MOScholars did not receive the state appropriation, the funding would cover less than 5% of the renewal students going into the school year.

[….]

The treasurer’s office uses an education management system called FACTS to review applications and determine eligibility. Haggard asked if the software checks if renewal students still meet eligibility requirements.

It doesn’t, Blair said.

“So a student can receive a scholarship even though they don’t meet the IEP or income requirements?” Haggard then asked.

“Yes,” Blair said.

When a student is eligible one year, the system presumes that they retain eligibility. The siblings of renewal students are also deemed eligible.

[….]

And Brandon Phelps?:

“…Supported and passed legislation to expand MO Scholars giving low income families more options in education…”

“…Of 6,418 scholarships awarded this school year, only 111 are funded through tax credits….”

Our tax dollars at work, for private educational interests.

Previously:

Hey Brandon Phelps (r), we hear you’re afraid of church ladies (September 18, 2025)