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Changes coming from the Capitol: bridge repairs, workforce development, justice reform

"Without hyperbole, I believe it to be the most successful policy session that I have ever been a part of in my seven years in the legislature," House Speaker Elijah Haahr, a Republican from Springfield, said

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri House Republicans had reason to celebrate this session, passing some of their key legislation in the 94 bills approved for the governor's desk.

"Without hyperbole, I believe it to be the most successful policy session that I have ever been a part of in my seven years in the legislature," House Speaker Elijah Haahr, a Republican from Springfield, said. "Traditionally, the first year after an election is a slower year because of the length of time it takes to name committee chairs and the freshman learning curve."

Drivers will likely notice infrastructure investment. Lawmakers approved $300 million of bonds for construction and repair of 215 bridges.

There are major criminal justice changes: banning debtors prisons that lock someone up if he or she can't afford "boarding bills" for a prior jail stay, as well as legislation add more crimes to the list of expungable offenses.

Democrats say they were far outnumbered and frustrated at the end of the 2019 session.

"It is not easy to come here and be in a Super Minority, and not get our bills heard," House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, of Columbia, said.

But Republicans did get pushback from their own party, especially on the workforce development package that approved incentives for General Motors' roughly $1B expansion, funding for the adult financial aid program called Fast Track, and money for a general deal-closing fund that detractors called a slush fund.

"In this year of the Steve Stenger indictment and resignation, I think this is really a time when we need to be especially careful that the public has confidence that their tax dollars are being spent honestly and wisely," Senator Bob Onder, a Republican from St. Charles County, said.

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