Mike Kehoe

Kehoe placed a tax overhaul proposal on the August 2026 ballot that would authorize lawmakers to expand sales taxes and eliminate the income tax. He scheduled a separate ballot measure for November 2026 concerning an abortion ban. Kehoe also indicated that a referendum on the state's congressional map could appear alongside the November ballot measures.

Missouri legislation authorizing schools to hire armed "Missouri Rangers" as school protection officers received final approval from the state legislature and was sent to Governor Kehoe during the final days of the 2025 legislative session. The bill, sponsored by Republican state Senator David Gregory, would permit schools to employ volunteer or paid armed guards with specified physical fitness requirements to carry firearms on school grounds. Kehoe received the legislation for consideration following its passage by lawmakers.

The Missouri House passed Senate Bill 999, which provides rights to children born alive during or after an abortion or attempted abortion, by a vote of 102-46 on May 15, 2026. The legislation, referred to by supporters as the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, was transmitted to Governor Kehoe for executive action. The bill's passage followed debate between those citing protections for abortion survivors and those raising concerns about its effects on medical practice.

The Missouri House of Representatives voted 112-25 to approve legislation requiring pornography websites to verify that users are at least 18 years old before accessing content, with the bill advancing to Governor Mike Kehoe for consideration. The bill codifies into statute age verification requirements that the Missouri Attorney General's office had previously implemented through administrative rule in November of the prior year. The verification process would require users to provide identification to access adult content sites operating in Missouri.

The Missouri legislature sent a nearly 200-page healthcare bill to Kehoe on the second-to-last day of the 2026 legislative session. The legislation, approved by the House with a 116-21 vote, includes provisions adding doula services to Medicaid coverage, allowing 12-month prescriptions for oral contraceptives, and permitting patients to initiate care through telemedicine rather than requiring an initial physical examination. The bill awaited Kehoe's signature or veto as of May 15, 2026.

Governor Kehoe announced the appointment of Clem Smith, a former state representative from District 85, to the Missouri Ethics Commission. The Missouri Senate approved Smith's appointment on Monday in a routine motion. Smith's appointment restores a quorum to the commission, enabling it to take action on official matters including complaints about campaign finances and political action committees.

The Missouri House passed legislation on Tuesday that modifies campaign donation procedures, requiring explicit donor permission before collecting recurring campaign contributions. The bill, which the Senate had already approved on Monday, also includes provisions restoring voting rights to some parolees and permitting the use of campaign funds for childcare expenses. The measure passed the House with a vote of 101-47.

Governor Mike Kehoe nominated Heather Sicks, a Kansas City real estate attorney, to the Kansas City police board. Sicks participated in her first board meeting following her nomination. The appointment expanded the board's membership during a period of local focus on police governance and public safety oversight.

Governor Kehoe faced a decision on whether to place a proposal on the August or November 2026 ballot that would direct the Missouri General Assembly to set revenue baselines and triggers for income tax rate reductions. The proposal would grant legislators broad authority to increase state sales taxes or expand the tax base for five years, with any sales tax increases tied to reductions in the top income tax rate. Currently, Missouri law requires voter approval before implementing new sales taxes, and the proposal would shift this authority to the legislature.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe stated he was considering moving statewide ballot initiatives from the November general election to the August primary election. The potential shift would affect five measures scheduled for voter consideration, including a proposed expansion of sales and use taxes intended to enable elimination of the state income tax and a measure to repeal constitutional protections for abortion rights. Kehoe did not rule out the change as of the time of the article's publication.

Kehoe signed legislation requiring Missouri schools to outline prohibited antisemitic behavior in their codes of conduct. The bill established standards for addressing antisemitism in both K-12 schools and colleges throughout the state. Kehoe also signed separate measures restricting the sale of intoxicating hemp products and consolidating governance of the Dome at America's Center.

The Missouri Senate approved a spending plan for K-12 education in April 2026 that diverted $109 million from the Missouri State Capitol Commission to address a funding shortfall in the foundation formula for public schools. During debate, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Rusty Black stated he had received no assurance from House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton that he would agree to the diversion, nor promises from Governor Mike Kehoe that the spending would be approved if included in the final budget. The spending plan also added $14.2 million to school transportation funding.

In September 2026, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed a congressional redistricting map into law that eliminated a Democratic-held seat in Kansas City and allocated Republican advantage in seven of the state's eight congressional districts. Opponents initiated efforts to force a voter referendum on the map while multiple organizations filed lawsuits challenging its legality. The redistricting effort subsequently became the subject of ongoing court proceedings as voters awaited judicial decisions on the map's validity.

Kehoe proposed a $5 million reduction in state funding for public transit in his fiscal year 2027 budget, which would have decreased total transit funding to $1.7 million distributed among Missouri's 30 transit providers. The Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee voted to restore the $5 million in transit funding through House Bill 2004, reversing the proposed cut. The restored funding was intended to maintain transit services that provide access to employment, healthcare, medications, and groceries for Missouri residents.

The Missouri Senate approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would authorize lawmakers to modify sales and use taxes in order to eliminate the state income tax. Governor Kehoe supported the amendment, stating it would make the state more competitive and appealing for businesses and residents. The measure next proceeds to the Missouri House for consideration.

The Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee reverted to Governor Kehoe's budget request for higher education funding on Tuesday, restoring money that the House had cut from some colleges and universities. Kehoe's budget proposal maintained state funding for Missouri's higher education institutions at the prior year's level. The House had previously passed a restructured higher education funding model that resulted in differential impacts across the state's universities.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe met with local and federal public safety officials to discuss emergency security protocols for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Kansas City. The state activated more than 100 Missouri National Guard service members and state troopers to deploy to the metropolitan area in advance of the tournament. The activation occurred approximately two months before the scheduled start of the World Cup competition.

Governor Kehoe signed legislation on Tuesday that removes legal barriers preventing pregnant women from finalizing divorces in Missouri. Under previous law, judges could prevent divorce proceedings from being finalized during pregnancy. The signed legislation eliminates this restriction.

Governor Kehoe signed three bills into law on Tuesday addressing juvenile criminal justice, divorce, and sex trafficking. The legislation represented the governor's action on criminal justice matters that had been considered by the Kansas legislature during the 2026 session. The bills became effective upon the governor's signature.

The Missouri legislature passed legislation that would ban the sale of intoxicating hemp products, including THC seltzers, effective November 12 if signed into law by Kehoe. The bill aligns Missouri state law with an upcoming federal ban on such products, which are currently unregulated by any government agency. The legislation would remove these products from retail locations including bars and grocery stores throughout the state.

Governor Kehoe backed House Joint Resolutions 173 and 174, which the Missouri House passed on March 12-13, proposing a constitutional amendment to expand sales taxes to additional categories including services. If approved by the state Senate and voters in November, the measure would eliminate the individual income tax by 2031 once revenue triggers are met. The proposal generated statewide opposition, with organizers of eight regional gatherings arguing the expansion would harm working families and threaten public school funding.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced his intention to reduce public transit funding by $1.7 million. The proposed budget reduction would affect transportation services that the article indicates support approximately 50 percent of ridership usage for employment-related travel. The cut to public transit funding was characterized in local reporting as affecting economic activity and community access to jobs throughout Missouri.

Kehoe proposed reducing state funding for transportation from $6.7 million to $1.7 million, representing an 85 percent decrease in the budget allocation. The cut affects transit providers across Missouri, including OATS Transit, a nonprofit transportation service operating in 87 counties that primarily serves people with disabilities. Missouri already ranks among the lowest states nationally in per capita spending on public transportation.

Kehoe proposed reducing state spending for Missouri's transportation industry to $1.7 million, down from the $6.7 million allocated in the current fiscal year. The proposed budget cut would affect rural public transit agencies across the state. Advocates stated the reduction would result in significant consequences for transportation services in affected communities.

Kehoe advanced a proposed constitutional amendment to eliminate Missouri's state income tax after the House voted 98-54 to pass the resolution on Thursday. The measure now proceeds to the state Senate, where leadership indicated that lowering the state income tax ranks among legislative priorities. The amendment would authorize lawmakers to expand sales and use taxes as a mechanism for phasing out the income tax if approved by voters.

In his January State of the State Address, Kehoe proposed eliminating $5 million in general revenue funding for public transit in Missouri. The proposed cut would reduce state general revenue support for transit programs if approved by the legislature. Kehoe had previously cut funding for public transportation in the prior fiscal year.

Governor Kehoe proposed $80.7 million in cuts to Missouri's disability services funding in his budget proposal. Lawmakers from both the Missouri House and Senate announced plans to attempt restoration of the proposed cuts following a rally by disability rights advocates at the Capitol. The proposed reductions prompted the state's 25th annual Disability Rights Legislative Day, which drew over 1,200 attendees to the Capitol.

Kehoe proposed a ballot measure to allow Missouri citizens to vote on phasing out the state income tax over a five-year period. The proposal would eliminate the state's income tax revenue stream, which currently funds state operations and services. The viability of the proposal depends on identifying alternative revenue sources to replace the income tax revenue in the state budget.

Kehoe proposed a plan to phase out Missouri's income tax over a five-year period, which would redirect nearly $9 billion in state revenue. The proposal included authorization for an expansion of the state sales tax. According to estimates from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, approximately 60% of Missourians would experience a net tax increase under the plan, while households in the top 1% would see an average tax cut of nearly $40,000.

Governor Kehoe requested a "core reduction exercise" that resulted in proposed cuts to disability service programs in Missouri. The proposed reductions targeted rate payments to programs serving individuals with developmental disabilities who live in community settings. Lawmakers from both parties indicated they would seek to restore the funding, though they acknowledged the governor retained veto authority over any such restoration.

The Missouri House of Representatives voted 147-0 to pass legislation removing legal barriers that prevent judges from finalizing divorces for pregnant women in the state. Governor Kehoe backed the bill, which addresses current law allowing pregnant women to file for divorce but permitting judges to block finalization. The measure eliminates the judicial authority to delay divorce proceedings based on pregnancy status.

This week, Kehoe announced that applications for Blue Shield designation for Missouri counties, towns and cities are now open, with the Blue Shield Program offering $10 million in grant funding for selected communities to invest in law enforcement equipment and training. Recipients of the grants must demonstrate continued commitment to public safety, show effectiveness in reducing crime, and comply with Missouri crime reporting and traffic stop data requirements. Columbia and Ashland received $50,000 each in grant money through the program last year, with Columbia using funds to upgrade ballistic shields in police vehicles.

Kehoe proposed deep cuts to the Missouri Arts Council as part of a state budget austerity initiative emphasizing smaller government and fiscal discipline. The proposed reductions would affect funding for arts groups and annual events across Missouri. Arts advocates responded by presenting arguments that cultural contributions generate economic investment in the state.

Kehoe nominated former Kansas City Councilwoman Heather Hall to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners. Missouri State Senator Maggie Nurrenbern indicated she would not sign off on the nomination, citing Hall's marriage to a retired KCPD officer as creating a conflict of interest in providing impartial oversight of the department. The senator's approval was required to send the nomination to the full Senate by a February 6 deadline.

Kehoe announced a plan to phase out Missouri's state income tax over five years. The proposal would couple income tax elimination with increases to sales taxes, including new levies on currently untaxed services, and would require the state sales tax rate to rise to approximately 12.54 percent to compensate for lost income tax revenue. Missouri's general budget currently derives 65 percent of its funding from income tax.

Kehoe proposed budget reductions to arts and humanities funding as part of a smaller overall state budget. The proposed cuts would affect arts grants and organizations across Missouri, including festivals, performances, and museums such as the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City. Arts leaders presented concerns about the proposed reductions during a Missouri House of Representatives budget meeting.

The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously overturned Senate Bill 22, which Governor Kehoe signed into law in April 2025. The legislation had doubled the maximum word count for ballot summaries and transferred authority to rewrite ballot language from the courts to the secretary of state, while also granting the attorney general new power to appeal temporary restraining orders. The court ruled the entire bill unconstitutional, finding it had been altered substantially during the legislative process from its original purpose in violation of the Missouri Constitution's single-subject requirement.

Kehoe announced during his 2026 State of the State address that he seeks a statewide ballot measure in November to phase out Missouri's state income tax and implement taxes on monthly subscriptions and digital services. The proposal would require voter approval through a constitutional amendment or ballot initiative. Democrats have raised concerns about the fiscal impact of the plan on future state budgets.

Kehoe announced that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration approved Missouri's broadband expansion plan in January 2026. The approved plan allocated over $814 million in federal funding to expand high-speed internet access to more than 200,000 locations throughout the state. The funding was directed toward areas of Missouri lacking adequate broadband infrastructure.

Kehoe is pushing to eliminate the state income tax during the 2026 Missouri legislative session, which began in January 2026. The governor's tax elimination proposal comes as the state faces a smaller budget that is expected to require spending cuts. The legislative session runs until mid-May 2026, with Republican leaders planning to pursue tax cuts amid the reduced spending environment.

Governor Kehoe's administration issued an internal memo to Missouri state employees in early 2025 requiring their return to office by late March. The directive cited enhanced customer service and improved collaboration as justifications for the change. This action reflected a broader trend among employers nationwide, including major corporations such as AT&T, JPMorgan, and Ford, that moved away from hybrid work arrangements during 2025.

Missouri lawmakers passed a capital gains tax cut in 2025 that was initially estimated to reduce state revenue by approximately $111 million annually. A consensus revenue estimate issued in December 2025 substantially increased the projected fiscal impact, estimating the loss could reach as much as $500 million in the first year and $360 million annually thereafter. The revised estimate indicated that state revenues for the fiscal year ending June 30 would fall $400 million below prior projections due to the tax cut's implementation.

Missouri's minimum wage increased to $15 per hour effective January 1, 2026, representing a $1.25 increase from the previous rate of $13.75. Governor Kehoe signed legislation that modified the automatic inflation adjustment mechanism for future minimum wage increases in the state. The law altered provisions stemming from a minimum wage measure that Missouri voters approved in November 2024.

Governor Kehoe approved the fiscal year 2026 state budget in June 2025, which allocated $51 million in taxpayer funding to MOScholars, Missouri's private K-12 scholarship program. This appropriation marked the first time Missouri used direct public funding to support the program, which grants students scholarships to attend private, virtual, religious, and homeschool educational options outside the traditional public school system. The funding approach places Missouri among 32 states that use public revenue to support school choice programs, though Missouri's specific implementation faces legal challenges similar to those in other states.

Governor Mike Kehoe directed $15.6 million in state funding to Missouri food banks and senior meal programs during a federal government shutdown that delayed the distribution of Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits. The allocation was made in response to a lapse in federal SNAP funding scheduled to begin November 1, 2025. Kehoe's action provided emergency food assistance to address the gap created by the suspension of federal nutrition assistance benefits.

Kehoe announced the allocation of $5 million in state funding to Missouri food banks in response to the loss of federal SNAP benefits scheduled for November due to a government shutdown. The state also transferred $10.6 million to Missouri Area Agencies on Aging to provide meals to seniors during the period when federal food benefits would not be distributed. The funding was designated to address the gap created by the suspension of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments.

Governor Kehoe stated publicly that Missouri's redistricting plan was drafted by staff in his office, but a filing by the attorney general's office characterized the map's authorship only as "various governmental actors" working on the plan. The discrepancy emerged during litigation challenging the redistricting plan, which was designed to create an additional Republican congressional seat. The filing raised questions about the actual origin and development of the map that Kehoe had attributed to his own office.

Missouri Secretary of State Kehoe invalidated approximately 100,000 signatures collected for a ballot initiative seeking to place a new congressional redistricting map before voters, ruling that signatures gathered before a specified date would not be counted toward the petition requirement. Kehoe determined that the signature-gathering window for the redistricting referendum initiative had a specific starting date, effective immediately. Proponents of the redistricting effort contested Kehoe's ruling as an unlawful restriction on the signature-gathering timeline.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe denied clemency to a death row inmate scheduled for execution in October 2025 for fatally shooting a state trooper more than two decades earlier. The decision marked the first execution carried out during Kehoe's tenure as governor. The inmate's family and legal representatives had sought clemency before the scheduled execution date.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed legislation in July 2025 that restricted student use of electronic personal devices during the school day, implementing a bell-to-bell cellphone ban in schools across the state. The law took effect during the 2025-2026 school year, requiring students and staff to refrain from using personal devices throughout instructional time. Schools including Rockwood Summit High School in Fenton have adapted their operations in response to the restriction, with observable changes to student behavior including increased peer interaction during lunch and study periods.

Governor Kehoe denied clemency to Lance Shockley on Monday, October 13, 2025. Shockley was executed on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, for the 2005 murder of Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper Carl DeWayne Graham. The execution marked the first carried out under Kehoe's administration as Missouri governor.

Kehoe's office announced in late September proposed changes to Missouri's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that would restrict eligibility for certain food and beverage categories including prepared desserts, candy, and sodas. The proposed modifications would remove these items from the list of products that SNAP beneficiaries could purchase using their benefits. The announcement stated that the changes were intended to encourage healthier food purchases among program participants.

Governor Kehoe denied a clemency petition for Lance Shockley, an inmate sentenced to death in 2009 whose case had been the subject of legal appeals for over a decade. The clemency request had been supported by advocates who delivered a petition containing 31,000 signatures to the governor's office. Kehoe announced on Monday that Shockley's execution would proceed as scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Governor Mike Kehoe denied clemency to Lance Shockley, who was convicted of the 2005 first-degree murder of Missouri State Highway Patrol Sergeant Carl Dewayne Graham Jr., with Shockley's execution by lethal injection scheduled to proceed. In his denial statement issued Monday morning, Kehoe stated that violence against law enforcement would not be tolerated and affirmed Missouri's support for its uniformed personnel. The clemency denial prompted anti-death penalty advocates to conduct a 30-mile walk from Columbia to Jefferson City, where they planned silent protests outside the governor's office.

Governor Mike Kehoe announced in October 2025 that he was investigating whether to use state resources to supplement the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program, which provides food, education, and health care referrals to approximately 56,000 low-income Missourians each month. The investigation was prompted by concerns that the federally-funded WIC program would exhaust its funds if the federal government shutdown continued. Kehoe stated that contingency plans were under consideration to maintain the program's operations.

Kehoe signed a new congressional district map for Missouri. The map altered the representation of non-Republican voters, reducing their representation from the previous map's distribution. Kehoe stated that the map represents conservative values in the state.

Gov. Mike Kehoe announced that the Missouri National Guard will begin assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement with logistics, data entry, and case management duties beginning Wednesday. The action follows a request from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for state assistance in enforcing immigration laws. National Guard service members will be authorized to conduct this work on a volunteer basis while remaining under the command and control of the Missouri governor.

Governor Kehoe issued an executive order on Monday instructing the Missouri Department of Social Services to formally request permission from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to restrict Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits from purchasing candy, soda, and other foods classified as junk foods. The action seeks to align Missouri with at least a dozen other states that have implemented similar restrictions on SNAP purchases. Kehoe stated the waiver request aims to maximize nutritional health outcomes for low-income families while supporting agricultural output in the state.

Governor Kehoe announced in September 2025 that Missouri National Guard members would be deployed to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement with administrative, clerical, and logistical duties at immigration processing facilities within the state. The deployment came in response to a request from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and was described by Kehoe as part of efforts to maintain public safety and uphold the rule of law. The governor did not specify the total number of National Guard personnel involved in the assistance.

Kehoe activated the Missouri National Guard to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in support of President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement efforts. The activation began on Wednesday, September 30, 2025, and specified that National Guard troops would perform administrative, clerical, and logistical duties. The action occurred amid increasing public criticism of federal immigration enforcement practices.

Governor Kehoe signed House Bill 1 of the Second Extraordinary Session into law on September 28, 2025, establishing new congressional districts for Missouri known as the Missouri First Map. The redistricting legislation was sponsored by Representative Dirk Deaton and Senator Rusty Black and was created by Governor Kehoe's team following a special session convened on August 29. The map splits fewer counties and municipalities than the current map, preserves two congressional districts as currently drawn, and retains every current member of Missouri's congressional delegation in their current districts.

Governor Kehoe signed into law a new congressional redistricting map more than two weeks after its passage through the Missouri legislature during an extraordinary legislative session. The map reconfigures the Kansas City-based congressional district of Democrat Emmanuel Cleaver into three separate districts. The redistricting measure faced multiple lawsuits and an initiative petition campaign challenging its validity at the time of Kehoe's signature.

Governor Kehoe announced his intention to sign legislation redrawing Missouri's congressional districts, which he stated was called for through a special legislative session. Kehoe indicated that he believed his actions were legally sound but acknowledged that pending lawsuits would ultimately determine the constitutionality of the redistricting measure. The governor stated that the courts would be responsible for resolving the legal challenges to the congressional map.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced in September 2025 that he intended to sign House Bill 1, legislation establishing new congressional redistricting maps for the state known as the Missouri First Map. Kehoe stated in a news release that he had completed a review process and would officially sign the bill into law on Sunday. The announcement also referenced passage of what Kehoe characterized as IP reform legislation intended to enable Missouri voters to address constitutional matters through ballot measures.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe scheduled the signing of Missouri's new congressional map into law on Sunday following a two-week delay and a special legislative session in August. The Republican-controlled Missouri House and Senate rushed to redraw the state's eight congressional districts during the special session called by the governor to help Republicans maintain control of the U.S. House. The map is expected to face multiple legal challenges following its official signing.

Governor Mike Kehoe's political team assumed a leadership role in the campaign to pass a constitutional amendment banning abortion in Missouri. First Lady Claudia Kehoe was named as treasurer for Her Health, Her Future PAC, a political action committee created on September 9, 2025, and listed as the sole officer in filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission. The campaign aims to pass a ballot measure that would repeal the amendment approved by voters in November 2024 that had restored abortion rights in the state.

Missouri Senate President Cindy O'Laughlin announced in September 2025 that she was pausing a long-running plan to expand and renovate the state Capitol building, citing concerns about the timing and cost of the $400 million project. O'Laughlin stated in an email that she felt excluded from the planning process and wanted additional answers before agreeing to support the renovation effort. A subcommittee of the Missouri State Capitol Commission met in her office to discuss her demands for more information, marking a significant development in the decade-long push for the Capitol improvements.

Governor Kehoe disputed an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit claiming that Missouri's redistricting map contained an error allowing some voters in Kansas City to cast votes in two congressional districts. In a letter posted to the Secretary of State's social media account, Kehoe stated that two separate voting tabulation districts were mistakenly assigned the same name "KC 811" by the U.S. Census Bureau, but that no voter could actually vote in two congressional districts. Kehoe asserted there was no error in the redistricting map itself.

Gov. Kehoe reappointed five members to the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners after withdrawing them prior to the special legislative session held earlier in September 2025. The reappointed members include restaurateurs Chris Saracino and Eddie McVey, former city HR chief Brad Arteaga, Sonya Jenkins-Gray, and non-voting member Don Brown, with Mayor Cara Spencer serving as the board's fifth voting member. The reappointments concluded a period of uncertainty that began when the nominees were withdrawn and a scheduled board meeting was abruptly canceled.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed Senate Bill 68 into law on July 9, requiring school districts to adopt policies banning student cellphone use during school hours beginning in the 2025-26 school year. The Post-Dispatch reviewed the policies of 15 school districts in St. Louis and St. Charles counties and found that most established blanket bans during the school day with varying exceptions and disciplinary consequences. Each district provided exceptions for medical or emergency situations and educational purposes, with some allowing additional uses such as for special education plans.

Governor Kehoe issued an executive order directing the Office of Childhood to reduce regulatory requirements for child care by at least 10 percent. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education subsequently recommended removing 177 licensing rules for child care facilities, citing outdated and repetitive regulations. The state identified complex licensing regulations as a barrier to attracting new child care providers amid a shortage of available services.

Governor Kehoe called a special legislative session during which the Missouri House passed a redistricting bill that would reconfigure Missouri's 5th Congressional District, currently centered around Kansas City, into three separate districts. The plan was backed by former President Donald Trump. The redistricting measure proceeded to the Missouri Senate for consideration following House passage.

Governor Mike Kehoe established a panel during his first acts as governor in January to write rules governing the length of prison sentences for individuals convicted of crimes. The panel, composed of members from the Department of Corrections and the Division of Parole, was tasked with developing sentencing guidelines. The panel's meetings have been conducted in secret, which may constitute a violation of Missouri's Sunshine Law regarding open government proceedings.

Governor Kehoe signed Senate Bill 105, which outlaws the sale of six exotic and invasive plant species in Missouri, including sericea lespedeza. The law includes transition periods allowing continued sales of four of the species through January 1, 2027, and two species through January 1, 2029, in order to mitigate potential revenue losses for plant sellers with existing inventory. The legislation establishes a phased approach to controlling invasive plant species in the state.

Kehoe declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard in June 2025 in advance of anti-Trump protests across Missouri that ultimately proceeded peacefully. A disability rights activist filed a lawsuit alleging that Kehoe's actions violated First Amendment rights to free speech, free assembly, and free association. The lawsuit also contended that the activation constituted discrimination based on disability, citing concerns that individuals with vision impairments would be vulnerable to projectile weapons deployed by crowd control troops.

Kehoe signed House Bill 567 on July 10, 2025, which repealed the paid sick leave requirements established by Proposition A, a ballot initiative approved by Missouri voters on November 5, 2024, with nearly 58 percent support. The legislation eliminated the requirement that employees accrue one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours of work, with the changes taking effect on August 28, 2025. The repeal applied to private sector employees while maintaining exceptions for public sector workers.

Kehoe convened a special legislative session to redraw Missouri's congressional map, which resulted in a redistricting plan that divided Kansas City across three districts to create a 7-1 Republican-dominated congressional delegation. The Missouri NAACP filed a lawsuit challenging the redistricting plan on constitutional grounds, marking the first legal challenge to Kehoe's special session initiative. The lawsuit contests the congressional map redrawn during the special session convened by Kehoe.

In September 2025, Kehoe withdrew his five appointments to the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners, which had been announced in June 2025 to oversee the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The withdrawal occurred on the eve of a special legislative session that Kehoe had called to redraw state U.S. House district boundaries and address constitutional petition processes. According to a spokesperson, the police board appointees were among dozens of interim Kehoe appointments to various boards and commissions that were being rescinded to allow the state Senate to focus solely on redistricting and the petition initiative during the special session.

Kehoe established a working group in January as one of his first acts as governor to examine regulations governing parole and sentencing requirements. The working group met twice since a public hearing in June, with neither meeting announced to the public or media. The secret meetings by the panel tasked with writing parole rules may violate Missouri's open meetings laws.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged in an August 31, 2025 interview that Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations would surge in Chicago in the coming days. Noem stated that any potential National Guard deployment in the city would ultimately be decided by President Donald Trump rather than by her department. Governor J.B. Pritzker responded by stating that such a deployment would violate federal law and constitutional protections, and warned that any such action would be met quickly in court.

Kehoe pushed a redistricting plan that altered congressional districts in Missouri, an effort coordinated with the Trump Administration to maintain Republican control of Congress. The proposal prompted a Labor Day protest in Kansas City on September 1, 2025, where over 1,000 demonstrators gathered at Mill Creek Park near the Country Club Plaza to object to the redistricting effort. Kehoe called a special legislative session in Jefferson City to advance the redistricting plan.

Kehoe declared a state of emergency and activated the Missouri National Guard in anticipation of "No Kings" protests scheduled for June 14, 2025. A Blue Springs resident filed a lawsuit alleging that the activation of the National Guard violated his First Amendment rights and created an intimidating atmosphere that prevented his attendance at the peaceful protests. The plaintiff contended that Kehoe's preemptive action had a chilling effect on his ability to participate in the demonstration.

Kehoe announced a special legislative session to redraw Missouri's congressional maps, becoming a Republican governor to undertake mid-decade redistricting. The special session, set to begin the following week, would address new congressional district boundaries along with legislation modifying the state's citizen initiative process. The announcement followed requests from President Donald Trump for Republican-led states to pursue redistricting efforts.

On August 29, 2025, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe called the state legislature into a special session beginning the following week to redraw Missouri's congressional districts. In his announcement, Kehoe stated that the session would address congressional redistricting and what he described as initiative petition reform to make constitutional amendments more difficult for residents to pursue through the ballot process. Kehoe framed the actions as necessary to clarify voting districts and ensure that the state constitution reflected Missouri values.

Missouri became the first state to repeal its capital gains tax, effective January 1, with the exemption applying to profits from the sale of assets including stocks, real estate, and cryptocurrency. The tax cut is projected to cost the state $625 million in revenue. The change was enacted through legislation and will be reflected in income tax returns due in April, accompanied by additional tax reductions including the removal of sales tax on diapers and feminine hygiene products.

Kehoe considered a request from the Trump administration to deploy the Missouri National Guard in support of federal immigration enforcement operations within the state. Under the proposed arrangement, Guard members would assist with administrative, clerical, transportation, and logistical tasks for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, while remaining under the authority of Missouri's governor. The Guard would not participate in arrest operations.

Gov. Mike Kehoe appointed Catherine Hanaway, former Missouri House speaker, to serve as Missouri Attorney General. Hanaway became the first female to hold the position in the state. The appointment was characterized as providing an opportunity to redirect the office's focus toward serving the public rather than political objectives.

Varro Life Sciences, a biotech company developing sensors to detect airborne pathogens, relocated its headquarters and research laboratories to the Cortex Innovation District in St. Louis from New York. Governor Kehoe attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 21, 2025, marking the company's establishment in Missouri. The company announced plans to hire 30 scientists and laboratory workers over the coming months.

Governor Kehoe appointed Catherine Hanaway to serve as Missouri Attorney General following the resignation of Andrew Bailey. Hanaway, a former U.S. Attorney and Missouri House Speaker, was selected to fill the remainder of Bailey's term, which extends more than three years. Hanaway became the first woman to serve in the Missouri Attorney General position.

Governor Kehoe appointed Catherine Hanaway to serve as Missouri Attorney General, effective September 8, 2025, following the resignation of Andrew Bailey who accepted a position as co-deputy director of the FBI in the Trump administration. Hanaway's appointment filled the vacancy created by Bailey's departure from Missouri's top law enforcement position. Kehoe announced the appointment one day after Bailey announced his resignation.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe appointed Catherine Hanaway as attorney general following Andrew Bailey's resignation to serve in the Trump administration. Hanaway, a former Missouri House Speaker and the first woman to hold that position, became the state's fourth attorney general since 2018. The appointment was announced on Monday and does not require legislative confirmation under Missouri law.

Kehoe did not confirm whether he would call a special legislative session to redraw Missouri's congressional districts at a press conference on August 14, 2025. The governor stated that he shares the vision of maintaining Republican control of the U.S. House, though he declined to specify his position on convening a special session for redistricting purposes. Republican lawmakers indicated they believed such a session remained likely despite Kehoe's lack of public confirmation.

Kehoe did not publicly confirm whether he would call a special legislative session to redraw Missouri's congressional map, a proposal being pushed by President Donald Trump to increase the Republican delegation by one seat. Republican lawmakers who met with Kehoe indicated they believed he would likely convene such a session, though Kehoe told reporters the matter remained under consideration as part of an ongoing process. Similar redistricting efforts were underway in Texas, where Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom was responding with counter-proposals.

Governor Mike Kehoe announced he will call special elections to fill two vacant seats in the Missouri House of Representatives next year. One vacant seat is in a south St. Louis County district and the other is in a southwest Missouri district, both of which have lacked representation after their elected leaders took other positions earlier in the year. Kehoe stated his intention to schedule the special elections at a time when voters would normally be going to the polls.

Governor Mike Kehoe expressed support for redrawing Missouri's congressional map in accordance with recommendations from President Trump. During an interview with FOX 2 News in St. Louis County, Kehoe stated that Missouri should consider how to support the president's agenda and questioned whether the state was properly represented in Washington, D.C. The statement followed a July 25 call from the Missouri Freedom Caucus urging Kehoe to convene a special legislative session for the purpose of redistricting Missouri's congressional districts.

Kehoe considered convening a special legislative session to pursue redistricting of Missouri's congressional districts, specifically targeting the Kansas City area district represented by U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver. The governor stated that Missouri aims to "make sure that we have as much Republican representation" as possible in Congress. Kehoe's consideration of the special session followed pressure from President Trump to redraw the district lines.

Governor Mike Kehoe criticized Sonya Jenkins-Gray, one of his five appointees to the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners, for accepting a position as human resources director with the St. Louis Sheriff's Office beginning the following week at an annual salary of $120,000. Kehoe stated that Jenkins-Gray's move to the sheriff's office, which is currently under effort by the state attorney general to remove from office, would enable "another giant step toward remaking the Sheriff's Office." The governor's comments were made public on Wednesday following Jenkins-Gray's appointment to the police board.

Governor Kehoe reduced state transit assistance funding by 42 percent, decreasing annual funding from $11.7 million to $6.7 million. This reduction lowered Missouri's per capita transit spending from $1.89 to $1.08, returning the state to its historical position near the bottom of national rankings for state transit support. The funding cut affects all 30 transit providers across Missouri and will result in fewer vehicle replacements, reduced service hours, staffing reductions, and diminished ability to secure matching federal transit funds.

Governor Kehoe signed legislation banning cellphones in Missouri public school classrooms and permitting religious chaplains to work in schools. The governor also signed laws allowing homeschooled students to participate in school activities and establishing new financial aid programs for higher education students. Additional measures signed by Kehoe addressed protections against discrimination based on hair style or texture, support for hazing victims, and streamlined credit transfer processes between institutions.

Kehoe signed House Bill 12 on July 10, 2025, at St. Mary's Catholic High School in St. Louis, allocating $50 million in government funds for scholarships to private schools in Missouri. The legislation expands Missouri's private school voucher program. Attorneys representing public school teachers and the Missouri National Education Association filed a lawsuit seeking to block the expansion and requested an expedited court timeline to prevent implementation during the upcoming school year.

On July 10, Kehoe signed into law a bill that eliminates the state sales tax on menstrual products and diapers in Missouri. The legislation reduces the tax rate on these items, though it does not prevent local municipalities from imposing their own additional taxes on these products. The measure classifies menstrual products and diapers as health necessities rather than luxury goods subject to sales taxation.

Governor Mike Kehoe signed legislation in 2025 aimed at increasing the number of older Missourians working in public schools to address ongoing personnel shortages. Under the new law, retired teachers are able to continue filling substitute and temporary teaching positions on a part-time basis until 2030 without losing their teacher pension benefits. An estimated 4,300 retired teachers utilized this provision in the year following its enactment.

Kehoe vetoed more than $2 billion in spending from the state budget signed into law on June 30, 2025, reducing the total budget to $50.8 billion. The vetoed funds included millions allocated to Kansas City projects spanning tutoring programs, road infrastructure improvements, workforce development, food assistance, and arts organizations. The vetoes removed spending that had been approved by lawmakers in May.

Governor Kehoe signed legislation that allows the Missouri Farm Bureau and an insurance company to offer alternative health plans to bureau members. The policies are not subject to minimum coverage requirements and consumer protections established under the federal Affordable Care Act, requiring state government approval to be offered. The alternative health plans are scheduled to become available to bureau members in the following year.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed into law legislation limiting water exports from the state, which requires permits issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for any water exported outside Missouri's borders. Kehoe also signed a second bill during the same ceremony that covered several aspects of health care. The water export restriction was characterized by Kehoe as a proactive measure to preserve the state's water resources.

On July 14, 2025, Kehoe signed legislation that restored a firefighter-dominated board to control the St. Louis firefighters' pension system. The bill undid a March 2024 ordinance passed by the St. Louis Board of Aldermen that had replaced the previous pension board, which had a firefighter majority, with a new board composed primarily of city appointees. The change returned governance authority over the pension plan for current firefighters to a board with majority representation from the firefighters' union.

Kehoe signed legislation on Monday establishing a fund to pay for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. The bill received support from state lawmakers who argued that wider access to the therapy could help reduce opioid addiction and suicide among veterans experiencing service-related injuries. The legislation directs state funding toward making the treatment available to eligible veterans.

Governor Kehoe signed legislation on Monday that renders local ordinances unenforceable when they prohibit landlords from discriminating against tenants based on the source of their income, particularly those using federal Section 8 housing choice vouchers. The law nullifies protections enacted by Kansas City and other Missouri municipalities that had sought to shield renters receiving public assistance from housing discrimination. The legislation preempts local housing discrimination ordinances by establishing state authority over tenant protection standards related to rental assistance programs.

Governor Mike Kehoe signed legislation on July 15, 2025, that makes local ordinances prohibiting landlord discrimination against tenants receiving public assistance unenforceable. The bill, co-sponsored by state Representatives Chris Brown, Ben Keathley, and others, targets ordinances passed in several Missouri cities including Kansas City, St. Louis, Webster Groves, and Clayton that protected tenants using Section 8 housing vouchers and other forms of public income assistance from rental discrimination. The legislation received support from landlord groups, apartment associations, and realtors' organizations.

Governor Kehoe signed legislation on July 14, 2025, that makes it illegal to export large amounts of water outside of Missouri. The law addresses concerns about other states accessing Missouri's freshwater supplies and requires anyone seeking to withdraw water from any source in Missouri via pipeline to obtain formal permission from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The department has 180 days to approve or deny applications for water exports from the state.

Governor Mike Kehoe appointed Heather Hall to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners, filling the Northland seat following the conclusion of former Board President Dawn Cramer's term. Hall previously served on the Kansas City City Council and co-founded Veterans Community Project, a nonprofit assisting homeless veterans. She also contributed to the establishment of the Regional Law Enforcement Memorial Garden in the Northland.

Kehoe appointed former Kansas City City Council member Heather Hall to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners on Friday. Hall, who is married to a retired Kansas City Police Department sergeant, previously served on the city council representing Northland residents and has been involved with the Clay County Board of Election Commissioners, the Veterans Community Project, and Variety KC. The appointment drew criticism from community activists who questioned Hall's perspective on police oversight.

Governor Kehoe signed legislation in July 2025 that increases the processing fee for vehicle licensing by 50 percent, raising the fee from $4 to $6 for licenses lasting three years or less and from $12 to $19 for longer-term licenses, effective August 26, 2025. The fee increase is designed to help subsidize the privately operated license offices that serve communities throughout Missouri. Lawmakers approved the changes in response to concerns that existing fee levels were not keeping pace with inflation and the operational costs of maintaining these licensing services.

Governor Kehoe signed legislation on Thursday that increases Missouri vehicle license fees effective August 26, 2025. The fee for a license lasting three years or less will rise 50 percent to help subsidize private-run offices that serve communities across the state, while the fee for licenses lasting longer than three years will increase from $12 to $19. The Missouri Department of Revenue does not expect significant increases in processing times at local license offices as motorists attempt to avoid the higher fees before the August implementation date.

Governor Kehoe signed a bipartisan education package that bans the "three-cueing" reading instruction method as the primary instructional approach in kindergarten and first-grade classrooms. The legislation mandates that phonics instruction serve as the majority method for teaching students to read, while permitting three-cueing to supplement lessons only. The law builds on prior legislative efforts and guidance from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regarding reading instruction.

On July 10, 2025, Governor Kehoe signed House Bill 12 at St. Mary's Catholic High School in St. Louis, legislation that allocates $50 million in state funding for private school scholarships through Missouri's voucher program. The bill carves out $50 million directly from the state budget to support tuition at private schools through tax credits. The MOScholars program, which the legislation funds, enables families to receive scholarships for private school attendance regardless of income level or ZIP code.

Governor Kehoe expressed hope that Congress would reverse restrictions on medical provider taxes that were included in the "Big Beautiful Bill" signed by President Trump. The medical provider tax generates revenue that Missouri uses to fund Medicaid. Kehoe's statement came after all of Missouri's Republican members of Congress voted in favor of the legislation containing the tax restrictions.

Governor Kehoe signed House Bill 419 in July 2025, legislation that designates Veterans Day as a paid holiday for University of Missouri System employees. The law specifies that November 11 each year shall be observed as a public holiday for all UM System employees regardless of the day of the week on which it falls. University of Missouri System officials stated they were evaluating implementation procedures for the new paid holiday.

Governor Mike Kehoe signed legislation in July 2025 that repealed Missouri's paid sick leave law, which had been approved by voters seven months earlier and was set to take effect in August 2025. The measure was among several bills Kehoe signed during the legislative session, also including a plan to reduce the state's capital gains tax by an estimated $400 million annually. The repeal of the paid sick leave provisions, which would have required Missouri employers to provide paid sick leave benefits to workers, went into effect in August 2025.

Kehoe signed legislation requiring Missouri school districts to establish written policies prohibiting cellphone use during instructional time, effective in the 2025-26 school year. The signed bills also included measures banning hair discrimination and establishing support for victims of college hazing. Additionally, Kehoe signed legislation expanding the use of baby safe boxes across the state.

Governor Kehoe signed legislation repealing the paid sick leave provision of Proposition A, which Missouri voters approved in November 2024 with 58 percent support. The repeal takes effect August 28, 2025, eliminating paid sick leave benefits that workers began accruing on May 1, 2025. The legislation also repeals annual inflation adjustments for the minimum wage that had been in effect since 2006.

Gov. Kehoe is set to sign legislation that would reduce Missouri state revenue by approximately half a billion dollars annually through tax cuts on capital gains, profits and earnings from the sale of stocks, cryptocurrencies, real estate, and other valuables. The action comes shortly after Congress and President Trump enacted federal funding reductions to states. Kehoe had previously made tax cuts a key component of his agenda during the 2024 election and acknowledged the financial effects of the federal cuts through his veto or withholding of more than four hundred million dollars in the state's new budget.

Kehoe announced support for renewal of the one-tenth-of-one-cent Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax, which was first approved by voters over 30 years ago to fund Missouri state parks, soil conservation efforts, and water conservation projects. The 10-year renewal of the tax is scheduled to appear on the ballot in the next election year. The sales tax generated approximately $145.6 million in fiscal 2024, with half of the revenue directed to state parks and half allocated to soil and water conservation efforts.

Kehoe signed federal budget bills passed by lawmakers in 2025 that created new uncertainty for Missouri's state budget. Kehoe vetoed $310 million in general revenue spending and issued a warning that the next budget would have no additional funding available. According to Kehoe's office, the federal budget bill included an estimated $1 billion shortfall in general revenue beginning in fiscal year 2026, with the largest portion of reductions affecting the Medicaid program.

Governor Kehoe vetoed over $300 million from Missouri's $50.8 billion state budget signed in July 2025, with millions of dollars in cuts directed at public education programs. The vetoes included $2.5 million allocated to the Grow Your Own teacher recruitment program. Kehoe's total vetoes, reductions, and freezes across the budget amounted to nearly $511 million affecting 240 line items in the Fiscal Year 2026 spending plan.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe vetoed millions of dollars in state support for arts and culture nonprofits. This action followed earlier reductions in funding these organizations had received from the National Endowment for the Arts. The veto affected area arts groups that described themselves as "left reeling" by the budget cuts.

Governor Kehoe vetoed millions in state funding allocated to arts and culture organizations in Missouri's budget. The vetoes affected multiple Kansas City-area nonprofits that provide classes, performances, and studio space to underserved communities. The funding cuts came several months after these organizations had already experienced losses from reductions in National Endowment for the Arts support.

Gov. Kehoe cut $511 million from Missouri's $30.8 billion state budget on July 1, 2025, stating the reductions would preserve funds for an anticipated revenue shortfall. The governor's action involved vetoing or restricting spending across more than 240 items, including roadbuilding, sewer projects, and higher education funding. Kehoe cited excessive spending combined with reduced federal pandemic relief dollars and broad tax cuts as necessitating the budget reductions.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard in response to planned "No Kings Day" protests scheduled for June 14, 2025, which were organized to coincide with a military parade and presidential birthday event. The declaration authorized the deployment of troops, armored vehicles, and multi-agency surveillance operations across the state. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas characterized the activation as an unnecessary escalation.

Gov. Mike Kehoe appointed Derek Winters as transition director to oversee the state takeover of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Winters, a St. Louis native and chief operating officer of election technology firm KNOWINK, was selected to manage the transition to state control. Winters previously served on the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners and as chair of the board of St. Louis Makes, a nonprofit that promotes manufacturing.

Kehoe activated the Missouri National Guard in advance of "No Kings Day of Defiance" protests scheduled for the weekend, which were organized nationwide to coincide with a military parade marking the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary in Washington, D.C. Approximately 30 protests were planned across Missouri as part of nearly 2,000 demonstrations scheduled nationwide. The activation occurred ahead of the scheduled protests without prior announcement of specific deployment details or locations.

Kehoe requested a special legislative session during which Missouri House committees advanced bills to fund new stadiums for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals and provide $100 million in storm relief for St. Louis. The stadium funding bills and storm relief measure passed committee consideration on Tuesday and were positioned for potential full legislature consideration on Wednesday. The specific legislation included appropriations mechanisms to support construction of new athletic facilities and disaster recovery funding for the St. Louis region.

Governor Kehoe signed legislation into law on June 10, 2025, that voids nondisclosure agreements in child sexual abuse cases, effective August 28, 2024. The bill, referred to as "Trey's Law" in reference to Trey Carlock who died by suicide in 2019 after being sexually abused, was sponsored by state Representative Tim Taylor and state Senator Kurtis Gregory. Nondisclosure agreements signed after August 28, 2024, will no longer be enforceable in child sexual abuse cases under Missouri law.

Governor Kehoe expanded the agenda of a special legislative session to include consideration of a stadium financing bill alongside disaster recovery funding for St. Louis and property tax policy changes. The Missouri Senate passed legislation that would provide state tax incentives to finance new or improved stadiums for Kansas City sports teams, with the measure covering approximately half the construction costs. The bill subsequently advanced to the Missouri House for consideration as Kansas pursued a competing proposal to attract the teams with a larger financial commitment.

Governor Kehoe indicated that Department of Social Services leaders could take action to raise starting salaries for Missouri Children's Division employees after the state legislature concluded its regular session without approving such increases. The Children's Division, which handles child protection work, has faced recruitment and retention challenges attributed to low starting pay. Kehoe stated that departmental officials might pursue salary increases through administrative action rather than waiting for legislative authorization.

Governor Kehoe convened a task force of state officials and business leaders to develop a new formula for funding Missouri's public schools, with the expectation that funding levels remain consistent with the state fiscal year 2025 budget rather than the higher amount lawmakers approved earlier in the year. The task force gathered for its first meeting in May 2025, following lawmakers' passage of education funding $800 million above the governor's recommendation. Kehoe stated that simply providing additional funding cannot address all school district problems, indicating his position that education funding should not exceed current appropriated levels.

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Kehoe dismissed nearly two dozen employees on Friday in response to budget reductions imposed by the General Assembly. The layoffs occurred after lawmakers reduced the office's budget by 24 employees in early May. Kehoe's communications director stated the office acted as soon as the budget was finalized by the legislature to provide staff with notice, support, and transition time.

Governor Mike Kehoe convened a task force of state officials and business leaders to develop a new formula for funding Missouri's public schools, with the expectation that funding should remain flat relative to the state's fiscal year 2025 budget. Halle Herbert, the governor's incoming policy director, stated that Kehoe seeks funding "consistent with what is provided in the state fiscal year 2025 budget." Lawmakers had previously approved education funding that was $400 million higher than what the governor had recommended.

Kehoe announced a special legislative session to convene on June 2, 2025, to address funding for Kansas City sports stadiums housing the Royals and Chiefs, as well as tornado relief efforts in St. Louis and other projects that failed to secure funding during the regular session. The special session was called to consider legislation related to these infrastructure and disaster relief matters. Kehoe did not specify the details of proposed funding mechanisms or amounts at the time of the announcement.

Missouri Governor Kehoe announced that the state National Guard would assist in debris removal and sorting operations in St. Louis following an EF3 tornado that struck the region on May 16, 2025. Kehoe stated that up to 41 members of the 35th Engineer Brigade would arrive in the city on Wednesday to begin the two-week operation in impacted neighborhoods. The National Guard personnel were tasked with sorting debris and transporting it to landfills across the affected areas.

Kehoe submitted an emergency declaration request to the Trump administration for the St. Louis area following a deadly tornado. The governor expressed confidence in his disaster declaration requests despite the Federal Emergency Management Agency recently denying similar requests from Arkansas, West Virginia, and Washington. Kehoe stated he felt "really good" about receiving federal assistance for tornado cleanup efforts in Missouri.

Kehoe announced he would call a special legislative session to consider a counteroffer package designed to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Missouri. The governor characterized the proposal as an economic development package that would address stadium funding for both professional teams. The special session was scheduled following the failure of a last-minute bill during the regular legislative session that would have authorized state funding for new stadiums or stadium improvements.

The Missouri legislature approved Senate Bill 105, which bans the sale and distribution of six invasive plant species including Callery pear, burning bush, Japanese honeysuckle, climbing euonymus, sericea lespedeza, and perilla mint. The bill prohibits plant nurseries from importing, exporting, buying, or selling these species. The Missouri House passed the legislation 124-19.

The Missouri House sent Governor Kehoe legislation that expands access to women's health care, including provisions allowing women to access six months' worth of birth control at one time and increasing access to telehealth options. The bill also includes provisions expanding health care options for Missouri farmers and allowing more people to have medically necessary cochlear implants and hearing instruments covered under state health care. The legislation now awaits action by Kehoe.

Legislation prohibiting students in Missouri public schools from using cellphones during the entire school day was sent to Governor Mike Kehoe's desk in May 2025. The bill would allow school districts to establish their own cellphone policies, provided those policies ban usage from the opening to closing bell. Supporters of the measure cited studies indicating that all-day cellphone prohibitions improve student learning outcomes.

Governor Kehoe proposed a plan to provide state funding for a new stadium for the Royals and renovations to Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs, with the state covering up to half the construction costs through annual bond payments. The bill passed the Missouri House on a 109-40 vote on Tuesday as an amendment to a separate Senate bill, despite never having been formally introduced as legislation or receiving a public hearing. Kehoe stated he would call a special legislative session if the bill did not reach his desk before the legislature adjourned for the year.

The Missouri House passed legislation on May 12, 2025, and sent it to Governor Mike Kehoe that expands testing for radioactive waste in the St. Louis area. The bill removed a $150,000 annual cap on the state's Radioactive Waste Investigative Fund, which was created to allow cities and towns to address potential contamination in their communities. The measure received unanimous House approval.

The "Safe Place for Newborns Fund" bill passed the Missouri legislature with bipartisan support and was sent to Governor Kehoe for consideration. The legislation would fund the installation of rescue boxes that allow parents to anonymously relinquish newborns to the state and expands tax credits for maternity homes and diaper banks while creating a "Zero-Cost Adoption Fund." State Rep. Jim Murphy of St. Louis sponsored the measure.

The Missouri House passed House Bill 594 and House Bill 508 on May 7, 2025, which would allow Missourians to deduct 100% of capital gains income from their state income taxes, making Missouri the first state to grant such a deduction if signed by Governor Kehoe. The bills, sponsored by Representatives Chad Perkins and George Hruza, also include exemptions for diapers and feminine hygiene products from sales tax and increases to property tax credits for senior citizens and disabled individuals. According to fiscal estimates, the legislation would reduce state revenue by approximately $340 million in the first year and around $420 million annually thereafter.

The Missouri Legislature sent Governor Kehoe legislation expanding the Missouri Property Tax Credit, commonly known as the "circuit breaker," which provides tax relief to seniors and disabled individuals with low incomes. The updated credit increases benefits to as much as $1,000 for homeowners and $450 for renters, though eligibility remains limited to those over 65 or disabled with very low household incomes. The original program, created in 1954, had not been updated since 2009 and had seen declining use as benefits failed to keep pace with inflation.

The Missouri House approved legislation on May 8, 2025, that reduces state revenues by more than $420 million through a series of tax cuts. The measure, sent to Governor Mike Kehoe, allows Missouri residents to deduct 100 percent of all capital gains income from state income taxes and exempts certain products including diapers and feminine hygiene products from sales tax. Republicans in the House anticipated the legislation would be enacted by Kehoe as budget pressures mounted ahead of a Friday deadline to complete work on the state's $30 billion spending plan.

Missouri Senate Republicans blocked a $240 million child care affordability plan in May 2025 that was supported by Governor Mike Kehoe and aimed to expand access to child care through tax credits. Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman and other Republican opponents argued that taxpayer funds should not be used to incentivize parents to spend time away from their children and questioned whether government should subsidize private businesses. The measure failed despite backing from the governor and the state's business community.

Governor Mike Kehoe called for a ballot question on whether Jackson County should elect its assessor, a measure the Missouri House voted unanimously to place on the November 2026 ballot or at an earlier election called by Kehoe. The action followed Jackson County Executive Frank White's resistance to rolling back property taxes in accordance with state tax commission directives. According to political insiders cited in reporting on the matter, the state legislature signaled it would withhold various forms of state support to Jackson County until the property tax issue was resolved.

A child welfare bill passed by both chambers of the Missouri General Assembly was sent to Kehoe's desk for signature in May 2025. The legislation raises the minimum age for marriage from 16 to 18 and eliminates the state's practice of seizing Social Security benefits from children in foster care. Kehoe's action on the bill—whether to sign or veto it—was pending at the time of reporting.

Kehoe's administration is proceeding with a transition to a new electronic court monitoring service scheduled for April 30, despite an ongoing contract dispute. The switch could affect approximately 10,000 criminal defendants and an unspecified number of crime victims who use the system to track judicial proceedings and defendant locations. Missouri Office of Administration Commissioner Ken Zellers indicated the changeover would occur on the planned date regardless of whether all circuit court systems were prepared for the transition.

Kehoe signed legislation that grants the Missouri attorney general the authority to appeal temporary judicial pauses against state laws or constitutional provisions. Following the enactment of this law, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed an appeal of a Jackson County judge's order that had halted abortion restrictions after voters approved Amendment 3. The legislation expands the executive branch's legal remedies in response to judicial stays of state statutes.

Kehoe signed legislation that grants the Missouri Attorney General new powers to challenge temporary injunctions, a measure prompted by pending abortion-rights litigation. The law took effect immediately, and Attorney General Andrew Bailey began invoking these expanded authorities. A constitutional lawsuit challenging the law was filed the day after Kehoe's signature.

Attorney General Kehoe filed an appeal with the Missouri Supreme Court on Thursday requesting review of two orders issued by a Jackson County judge that permitted abortions to resume in Missouri following passage of a new state law. The orders had effectively halted enforcement of the state's near-total abortion ban and other related restrictions. Kehoe's appeal sought to overturn the judicial decisions that allowed abortion services to continue at facilities including Planned Parenthood's St. Louis clinic.

Governor Mike Kehoe withdrew the nomination of Tom Prater to the State Board of Education on Thursday after concerns were raised by a national advocacy group and a state senator during a Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing. Prater, a Springfield eye surgeon who had been appointed in an interim capacity following the retirement of a 33-year board member, had donated $21,000 to Kehoe's political action committee the previous year. Republican state Senator Mike Moon raised objections to Prater's appointment during the committee hearing on Wednesday.

Governor Kehoe stated on Tuesday that he would consider using Missouri's state budget surplus if the Trump administration implements proposed cuts to federal Head Start funding. Head Start is a $240 million program in Missouri serving children from birth to age five in families with incomes at or below the poverty line, with more than twelve thousand children enrolled in the program during the previous year. The Trump administration had requested Congress to eliminate the fifty-year-old early childhood care program as part of a broader federal government reduction effort.

Governor Mike Kehoe announced in April 2025 that he would soon name a transition director to oversee the state's takeover of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Kehoe stated he had recently met with St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy to discuss the transition process. A spokesperson for Kehoe's office indicated the governor was on track to name a director by Friday of that week.

Missouri House Speaker Jonathan Patterson voted against a ballot question to repeal the state's constitutional right to abortion on April 17, 2025, making him the only Republican in the chamber to vote against the resolution. Patterson stated after the 103-41 vote that he did not believe his constituents would support the measure. The resolution advanced to the Missouri Senate for consideration with four weeks remaining in the legislative session.

In his first budget proposal since taking office, Governor Kehoe requested $50 million in state funding for the MOScholars scholarship program, which would provide scholarships to private school and homeschooled students. The proposal represents the first time Missouri has sought to allocate public funds directly to private school vouchers. The Missouri House advanced the proposal, though legal questions were raised regarding its constitutionality under the Missouri Constitution.

In April 2025, a Missouri Senate panel rejected Governor Kehoe's proposal to allocate $50 million in state tax dollars to fund a private school voucher program known as MOScholar. The Senate Appropriations Committee stripped the $50 million from the spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1, removing the funding Kehoe sought for the initiative. The decision set up a showdown in the final month of the legislative session between Kehoe and the Republican-controlled House, which had previously sided with the governor on the issue.

Kehoe, chair of the Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee, launched budget hearings in April 2025 regarding the state's proposed $52 billion budget, with discussions scheduled to conclude before the deadline set by Governor Mike Kehoe. Among potential changes under consideration by the committee is a proposal to fully fund the school foundation formula, which Kehoe had previously acknowledged fell approximately $400 million short of projections made by state school officials. The hearings represent the beginning of a four-week process intended to finalize the state budget.

The Missouri legislature passed legislation that limits court intervention in ballot language written by lawmakers and expands the Secretary of State's power to rewrite challenged ballot language before judicial review. The bill also grants the Attorney General increased ability to appeal injunctions against state laws, including those affecting abortion access in Missouri. The legislation was sent to Kehoe for consideration.

Kehoe signed Senate Bill 4, which modifies how utilities operate in Missouri by allowing them to charge customers for power plant construction costs during the building process rather than after completion. The law alters the timing of cost recovery for utility infrastructure projects in the state. Consumer and environmental groups have stated the legislation will increase utility costs for customers and have raised concerns about its environmental implications.

An open-enrollment plan for Missouri public school students advanced in the State Senate after passing the House earlier in 2025 as part of Governor Mike Kehoe's school-choice agenda. The measure would allow students in kindergarten through grade twelve to enroll in school districts outside their residential districts. The bill passed the House on a vote of 89-68 on January 31, 2025.

On April 10, 2025, Kehoe signed legislation designed to expand power generation capacity to meet rising electricity demand in Missouri. The bill includes a provision allowing utility companies to charge ratepayers for power plant construction costs before the facilities become operational, a practice Missouri voters had prohibited in 1998. Consumer advocates estimated the legislation could increase average annual utility bills for Missourians by approximately $1,000.

State Senator Mike Moon sought to block the appointment of former Senate President Dave Schatz to the Franklin County Commission, an appointment made by Governor Mike Kehoe earlier in 2025. Moon conducted a filibuster on the Missouri Senate floor on Wednesday and distributed materials expressing his objection to Schatz's confirmation, citing a personal grudge spanning more than seven years. The effort to prevent Schatz's confirmation failed, as Moon reported that his words and arguments did not gain sufficient support among his colleagues.

The Missouri Senate gave initial approval on Wednesday to a large tax cut package that includes removing the 6.2 percent state sales tax on diapers and period products, increasing a tax credit benefiting seniors, and allowing Missourians to deduct 100 percent of all capital gains income reported to the IRS from their state income tax liability. The provision allowing full deduction of capital gains income primarily benefits approximately 8,620 Missourians with annual income over one million dollars, who accounted for more than half of the state's capital gains according to 2022 tax year data.

Governor Mike Kehoe signed House Bill 1659 on March 26, 2025, which transfers control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department from the city to the state of Missouri. The legislation takes effect immediately and requires Kehoe to appoint a transition director to oversee the state takeover's implementation. The transition period extends through July 1, 2025, at which point state control becomes permanent.

Kehoe signed legislation on March 26, 2025 that transfers control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department from the mayor's office to a governor-appointed board. The law takes effect within 90 days and mirrors the governance structure already in place for the Kansas City Police Department. The St. Louis Police Department becomes the second major municipal police force in Missouri to operate under state-level rather than local control.

Governor Mike Kehoe urged lawmakers to pass legislation enabling a state takeover of the St. Louis police department during the 2025 legislative session. The newly elected governor indicated he could sign such a bill as soon as the following week. The takeover would return control of the police department to state government after approximately twelve years of local city control.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed an executive order declaring a State of Emergency in response to anticipated severe weather forecasted for Friday evening. The declaration was issued as the state prepared for the threat of severe storms. This action enabled the state to mobilize resources and coordinate response efforts ahead of the weather event.

Kehoe participated in a legislative update on March 13, 2025, where Republican lawmakers highlighted early session accomplishments, including passage of legislation placing the St. Louis Police Department under state control. The announcement occurred midway through the legislative session before lawmakers began a week-long recess. Kehoe had identified the St. Louis Police Department transfer as a major priority for his administration.

Kehoe announced his intention to sign legislation that would place the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department under state control. The Governor stated that he would sign the legislation into law by the end of March once the Missouri legislature returned from Spring Break. The action would transfer oversight of the St. Louis police department from local to state authority.

Missouri's legislature passed SB4, a comprehensive utility bill containing dozens of policy changes governing how utilities operate in the state. The legislation was sent to Governor Kehoe for signature. The bill addresses utility infrastructure and operational requirements amid ongoing debates about its effects on utility costs and customer rates.

The Missouri House approved sweeping utility rate legislation on March 14, 2025, sending the measure to Governor Mike Kehoe's desk with bipartisan support on a 81-33 vote. The proposal grants the Public Service Commission control over new methods utilities may use to increase generation capacity as the state faces upcoming energy shortfalls. According to a Consumers Council of Missouri report, consumers with Ameren Electric, Spire Gas, and Missouri American Water service potentially face annual utility bill increases of at least $1,000 if Kehoe signs the legislation.

The Missouri legislature approved legislation that places the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department under the control of a state-appointed board, removing local city control of the department. The bill passed the Missouri House with a vote of 113-39 and was sent to Governor Kehoe, who had identified the state takeover of St. Louis Police as a legislative priority. The St. Louis police unions supported the measure, while the city mayor and police chief testified in opposition to the legislation.

Kehoe held a news conference on Thursday to outline legislative accomplishments during the spring session, announcing that lawmakers had secured passage of a state takeover of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Kehoe stated his team would conduct a bill review the following week and indicated he could sign the takeover plan around March 28. The measure will create a six-member police board to oversee the department, with one member being the mayor and the other five appointed by the governor.

Governor Kehoe designated the state takeover of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department as a priority for his administration. The Missouri Senate voted 27-5 on Monday to pass a House bill that would place the St. Louis Police Department under control of a state-appointed board rather than local governance. Kehoe stated that removing local control would improve public safety in the city.

The Missouri Senate approved legislation on March 11, 2025, that would establish state oversight of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department through a six-member Board of Police Commissioners, including five gubernatorial appointees and the mayor. The measure passed on a 26-8 bipartisan vote and now moves to the House for consideration. Under the provision, the state takeover would take effect upon Governor Mike Kehoe's signature, with Kehoe having 90 days after signing to appoint four of the commissioners.

Governor Kehoe indicated support for legislation that would place the St. Louis Police Department under state control, reversing a 2012 statewide voter decision that transferred the department to local control. The Missouri House voted to advance the bill, and Kehoe stated he would sign it into law if the Senate passed it. The article notes that Kansas City's police department remains under state control, distinguishing it as the only major U.S. city with this arrangement.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe proposed placing the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department under state control, which he outlined during his State of the State address on January 28, 2025. A Senate panel scheduled a vote on the measure as early as Monday, with the proposal part of a broader crime bill that also addresses stunt driving, organized retail theft, and other offenses. Under the plan, a five-member board appointed by the governor would control the police department, with the governor appointing four members and the mayor appointing one.

Kehoe identified affordable child care expansion as a top priority for his administration. The Missouri House advanced a legislative package on the issue, voting 120-43 in support of tax credits designed to stabilize the child care industry. Kehoe also issued an executive order directing state school officials to improve the regulatory environment for child care facilities and homes.

Governor Kehoe issued Executive Order 25-18, which prohibits state agencies from using state funds for policies, procedures, practices, trainings, contracts, positions, organizational structures, programs, or activities that solely or primarily support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The order raised questions among legal scholars about the scope of gubernatorial power, with a University of Missouri political science professor noting that enforcement authority and the constitutionality of such directives remain open legal questions. The executive order represents one approach among several being pursued to restrict state funding of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Kehoe signed an executive order on Tuesday that directs all state agencies to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs and initiatives. The order prohibits state funds from being allocated to DEI programs and prevents state agencies from considering DEI factors in hiring decisions. The executive order mirrors similar action taken by President Trump at the federal level.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe issued an executive order on February 18, 2025, directing state agencies to cease spending funds on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The order prevents state resources from being allocated to diversity programs and restricts consideration of diversity factors in hiring decisions. Kehoe stated the directive ensures state government treats all individuals equally without preferential treatment based on immutable characteristics.

Kehoe's administration issued a memo in February 2025 requiring state employees working remotely to return to offices, with supervisors and managers to report back by February 24 and all remaining remote workers to return by March 24. The policy reversed a practice that had allowed thousands of state employees to work from home for over four years following the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials stated that exceptions to the return-to-office requirement may be available for certain employees, though some state offices lack sufficient dedicated workspace for all returning workers.

A proposal to place the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department under state control was introduced in the Missouri Senate on Tuesday as part of a broader crime bill addressing stunt driving, organized retail theft, and other offenses. The plan would transfer control of the police department to a five-member board appointed by the governor, with the mayor holding one seat. After approximately four hours of discussion, the Senate paused debate and adjourned without taking a vote on the legislation.

Governor Kehoe scheduled a press conference for 11 a.m. Thursday at the Old Post Office in the 800 block of Olive Street to unveil plans for opening a satellite office for the governor's staff and other state officials in downtown St. Louis. Kehoe stated the office would primarily serve as a workspace during his time in the city rather than a large operation. The announcement comes as approximately 600 state employees are relocating from St. Louis to Chesterfield.

Governor Mike Kehoe announced an executive order requiring Missouri police departments to track the immigration status of people involved in crimes, making the state one of the first to implement such a requirement. The order directs law enforcement officials to submit immigration status information to the state's database of uniform crime reports. Kehoe stated in his State of the State address that the measure was designed to address what he characterized as threats to Missouri residents.

Kehoe announced plans to increase funding for law enforcement and transfer control of the St. Louis Police Department to state oversight, aligning it with the existing state control structure of the Kansas City Police Department. These proposals were presented during his State of the State address in January 2025 as central to his administration's public safety agenda. Kehoe also promised to eliminate Missouri's state income tax as part of his broader policy roadmap.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe stated during his State of the State address on January 28, 2025, that the state should control the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to encourage growth in the city. Kehoe made this statement as part of his remarks on governance and economic development priorities. The proposal represents a shift in the administrative structure of local law enforcement in St. Louis.

Governor Kehoe proposed allocating $50 million to Missouri's private school voucher program as part of the state budget process. Democrats have criticized the proposal, stating that public dollars should not flow to private religious schools, while some Republicans have also raised questions about the plan. The proposal faces an uncertain legislative path as the Republican-controlled legislature takes the lead in budget deliberations, with key Senate Appropriations Committee members noncommittal on the governor's plan.

Kehoe announced salary increases for several Cabinet members as he launched his four-year term in office. The budget documents show the state's long-time budget director receiving a 23 percent raise and the newly appointed adjutant general receiving a 48 percent increase following a review conducted by Kehoe. Kehoe stated the raises were driven by market factors and intended to recruit and retain qualified personnel for the positions.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe delivered his first State of the State address, in which he identified a lack of hope among young people due to crime as a significant concern for his administration. Kehoe called on the Missouri General Assembly to pass legislation designed to support law enforcement officers and increase criminal penalties. The governor's statement reflected his prioritization of crime reduction and law enforcement support as central policy objectives for his first year in office.

In his State of the State address delivered to the Missouri General Assembly in January 2025, Kehoe outlined a comprehensive, multi-phase plan to address crime and policing in the state. Kehoe called for the General Assembly to pass legislation that would increase support and resources for law enforcement officers and establish harsher penalties for criminal offenses. The governor characterized crime as a significant concern affecting public sentiment, particularly among young people in Missouri.

During his State of the State address on January 28, 2025, Governor Kehoe called for the state to fund a voucher program for private school tuition and to implement open-enrollment legislation allowing students to transfer between school districts. Kehoe's $28.6 billion spending proposal included a $20 million outlay to jumpstart the state's private school voucher program, which would operate on volunteer contributions and tax credits rather than general revenue. The governor also stated that legislators should approve open-enrollment legislation to expand school choice options for students.

Kehoe stated his commitment to ending Missouri's state income tax despite forecasting a tighter state budget in coming years as federal pandemic relief funding expires. Among his stated priorities for tax reduction is exempting capital gains from taxation, a measure estimated to reduce annual state revenue by approximately $300 million. Kehoe made these statements while addressing editors and publishers in Missouri.

Missouri Senator Curtis Trent introduced legislation in a Senate committee on Tuesday that would authorize a state income tax deduction for one hundred percent of capital gains income reported to the Internal Revenue Service. According to a nonpartisan fiscal analysis, the proposal could reduce state revenues by approximately $442 million annually, with more than half of that reduction resulting from decreased corporate tax payments. The Missouri Budget Project warned the Senate General Laws Committee that the revenue loss would occur without an identified replacement mechanism.

Governor Mike Kehoe announced on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, that he had appointed Sarah Willson as director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Willson, who has experience regulating hospitals and nursing homes, was selected to lead the department. Willson replaces Paula Nickelson, who took over the department in 2022 during the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic under former Governor Mike Parson.

Governor Kehoe signed executive orders requiring law enforcement to include immigration status information in arrest reports and authorized the creation of a program called "Operation Relentless Pursuit." The orders established task forces to arrest individuals with outstanding warrants and directed immigration enforcement training for the Missouri State Highway Patrol. These actions were announced shortly after Kehoe's inauguration on January 13, 2025.

Kehoe was sworn in as Missouri's 58th governor on January 13, 2025, and pledged to issue multiple executive orders targeting crime shortly after his inauguration through a "Day One Action Ceremony." Kehoe stated that "as soon as my hand comes off the Bible, the Kehoe administration will be relentless in our efforts to make Missouri safer," reflecting a broader national trend of states adopting tougher crime policies. The specific content and details of the announced executive orders were not disclosed in available accounts of his inauguration.

Kehoe became Missouri's 58th governor on January 13, 2025, and immediately signed executive orders addressing crime and immigration upon taking the oath of office. The 62-year-old St. Louis native, who previously served as Missouri's lieutenant governor and state senator, identified public safety and economic development as top priorities for his administration. Kehoe also pledged to negotiate directly with the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals regarding their operations in the state.

On January 13, 2025, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe issued six executive orders during his inauguration ceremony aimed at addressing crime and immigration violations in the state. The orders were signed during a post-inauguration event at the Capitol in Jefferson City and represented Kehoe's initial policy directives following his swearing in as the 58th governor of Missouri. Kehoe stated that the executive orders were intended to move quickly on what he characterized as priorities for securing the state's future.

Mike Kehoe was inaugurated as Missouri's 47th governor on Monday, January 13, 2025, succeeding the previous administration after rising through state political positions from his roots in St. Louis. The inauguration ceremony took place on the south lawn of the Missouri State Capitol building at 11:50 a.m., with former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt administering the oath of office. Following his inaugural address, Kehoe proceeded to his new office on the second floor of the Capitol for a "Day One Action Ceremony" as outlined by his transition committee, Securing Missouri's Future.

Incoming Governor Mike Kehoe selected Brigadier General Charles D. Hausman to lead Missouri's 12,000-member National Guard. Hausman has served over 28 years in the Missouri National Guard and currently holds the position of Army assistant adjutant general. Kehoe cited Hausman's experience managing large groups of soldiers and his background in administrative positions as qualifications for leading the Guard.

Kehoe named Trish Vincent as director of the Missouri Department of Revenue, a position requiring Senate confirmation and scheduled to begin January 15, 2025. Vincent is a longtime state government veteran who will oversee state income tax collections and driver license programs. She replaces Wayne Wallingford, who was appointed to the position by outgoing Governor Mike Parson in 2021.