Missouri Special Session Costs Taxpayers Over $170,000

Jefferson City, Mo. (KFMO) - A nine-day special legislative session in Jefferson City has cost Missouri taxpayers more than $173,000.

According to nonpartisan Capitol staff, representatives and senators are paid $142.40 per day when the legislature is in session. Representatives also receive mileage reimbursement of 66 cents per mile. The extra pay and travel costs added up to $138,706.20 for representatives and $13,955.20 for senators.

Another major expense came from the redistricting software used during the session. The program, called Maptitude, cost the state $21,000. In total, the price tag for the session reached $173,661.80.

Lawmakers met to approve a new congressional map and to advance measures making it harder to amend the state constitution through the initiative petition process. Senator Mike Henderson wanted the initiative petition bill to pass.

The map has drawn national attention after former President Donald Trump urged Missouri Republicans to push boundaries likely to increase GOP seats in Washington.

The new map is already facing multiple legal challenges. Opponents argue the mid-decade redistricting process is unconstitutional, since Missouri’s constitution does not clearly authorize redistricting outside the once-per-decade cycle tied to the U.S. Census.

The legislation is scheduled to take effect December 11 unless stopped by a court ruling or citizen petition. Governor Mike Kehoe’s office says it is still reviewing the bills passed during the session.