The regular session of the Missouri General Assembly ended at 6:00 p.m. yesterday, as mandated by the state constitution.

The last day consisted of a rapid succession of bills presented for final approval. The Republican super majority in the House, 114 to 47, and the Senate and the mandated time for the close of business leaves the minority only one weapon. Talk.

The majority has a weapon to end that debate. They call the previous question – the immediate vote to end debate and vote on the bill as it stands. The Democratic minority tried to talk yesterday, slowing down the process. The Republican majority called the previous question, trying to speed things up.

Among the bills the majority got over the line were those cutting corporate taxes and diminishing organized labor. And, there were a few catch all omnibus bills, lumping bills of “similar” subject matter together, to finish the process.

Representative Shawn Rhoads (R) – on the floor of the House – May 18, 2018.

Truth, twice.

Media in a side gallery.

Repreentative Crystal Quade (D) – on the floor of the House – May 18, 2018.

Representative Bruce Franks, Jr. (D) – on the floor of the House – May 18, 2018.

Representative Deb Lavender (D) – on the floor of the House – May 18, 2018.

Assistant Minority Floor Leader Gina Mitten (D) -on the floor of the House – May 18, 2018.

Minority Floor Leader Gail McCann Beaty (D) – speaking to media in a House side gallery during a short recess – May 18, 2018.

Representative Dan Houx (R) – on the floor of the House, after introducing special guests during a lull in the proceedings – May 18, 2018.

For decades (as far back as anyone can remember, perhaps) upon adjournment of the regular session members of the House have tossed the paper copies of bills and amendments in the air. It takes a while for someone else to clean up the mess. This year, with a thirty minute scheduled break between the end of the regular session and the start of an historical special session concerned with the possible impeachment of Governor Eric Greitens (r), there was speculation about whether the papers toss would occur. Think of the logistics in getting the paper cleaned up in under a half hour. And, the contrasting optics of the frivolous (at the very best) with the serious wouldn’t look so good. No one tossed paper at the end of the regular session.

Previously:

The end of the regular session, the beginning of the special session (May 18, 2018)

Jefferson City: Tikkun olam – May 18, 2018 (May 19, 2018)