Gov. Michael Kehoe pushes Safer Missouri crime plan, fentanyl testing and tax-cut agenda in State of the State

Gov. Michael Kehoe told a joint session of the Missouri General Assembly that securing public safety is the foundation for the state’s future and outlined a package of executive actions and budget requests aimed at strengthening law enforcement and combating fentanyl.

Kehoe said his administration signed six executive orders on inauguration day to launch a “Safer Missouri” initiative that includes regional efforts to arrest dangerous fugitives, expanded collaboration with federal partners on illegal immigration and programs to encourage community support for law enforcement. “We will be relentless in our pursuit to make Missouri a place where it’s easier to be a cop than a criminal,” Kehoe said.

The governor asked lawmakers to fund several law‑enforcement priorities. He proposed expanding the Missouri Blue scholarship program for basic law‑enforcement training and asked for $10 million for a new “Blue Shield” program to assist local communities with equipment and training. He also recommended $2.5 million to support the sheriff’s retirement system for another year and funding for a new crime lab in Cape Girardeau to serve Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E.

Kehoe asked the legislature to extend professional licensing reciprocity for spouses of law enforcement personnel — legislation he credited to Rep. Stinnett and Sen. Ben Brown — and to consider a new scholarship for post‑secondary education to aid recruitment and retention.

On the fentanyl crisis, Kehoe cited national mortality data and a family story from Lizzie and Hal Schott of Wildwood, whose son Keenan died of fentanyl toxicity. “If a drug dealer sells fentanyl that kills a Missourian, they should be charged with first‑degree murder, period,” he said. The governor asked the legislature to support bills from Sen. Schroer and Rep. Keith Lee and proposed adding $4 million in the budget for fentanyl testing of school wastewater systems, a $2 million increase from the prior year.

Kehoe framed crime, illegal immigration and drugs as central threats to economic growth and urged lawmakers to pass a comprehensive crime bill sponsored, he said, by Sens. Fitzwater and Schor and Rep. Crist that would increase penalties for violent rioting, reckless stunt driving and fleeing from police and increase oversight of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

Beyond public safety, Kehoe outlined a broad set of fiscal and education priorities in the same address. He repeated his long‑term goal to eliminate the individual income tax, directing the Missouri Department of Revenue to develop a “sustainable and comprehensive plan” and asking the legislature for “SB 509‑style” income tax triggers. He also asked for tort‑reform legislation and re‑appropriation of $100 million for rural road improvements.

On education and workforce, Kehoe proposed a $200 million increase to the foundation formula, more than $370 million to fulfill the state’s transportation commitments, $33 million for teacher salaries, $30 million for small school grants, and $15 million in new funding (plus $5 million annually) for career and technical education equipment and operations. He also proposed a $1 million increase for career counseling, and announced an executive order creating a School Funding Modernization Task Force to recommend changes to the formula.

On childcare, Kehoe said he will issue an executive order directing the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Office of Childhood to rewrite childcare regulations to make them easier to understand and implement, and proposed $10 million in grants to support employer‑partnered childcare projects. He also said that, starting in fiscal 2026, state payments to childcare providers will be moved to the beginning of each month and paid on enrollment.

Kehoe made additional budget requests and policy proposals for agriculture, the Missouri State Fair, and veterans’ homes: permanent $800,000 funding for Missouri FFA, bonding for new livestock and stalling barns at the state fairgrounds, expanded meat and poultry inspection capacity, and $10 million in additional general revenue for veterans homes. He said the administration will not retain or appoint State Board of Education members who do not align with the administration’s stated vision and that it will not support DEI programs in state government.

The address closed with a pledge to work with the General Assembly on the administration’s priorities and a request to “work at business speed” to implement several executive directives and task forces.