Missouri Senator Unveils Alternative State Budget Proposal

Ousted budget chair Lincoln Hough challenges governor's spending plan

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Missouri State Senator Lincoln Hough, who was stripped of his role as Senate Appropriations Committee chairman in 2025 after clashing with GOP leadership, has introduced an alternative state budget proposal that he says better addresses funding for public schools, services for people with disabilities, and other priorities. Hough's plan would redirect $451 million from funds set aside for renovations to the Missouri Capitol building, arguing the state cannot afford to 'sit on half a billion dollars' while underfunding education and social services.

Why it matters

Hough's budget proposal represents a direct challenge to the spending plan put forth by Republican Governor Mike Kehoe, underscoring the political tensions within the Missouri GOP. As Hough prepares to leave office due to term limits, his alternative budget is seen as a parting shot aimed at shifting the state's fiscal priorities before he departs.

The details

Hough's alternative budget would spend less general revenue than Kehoe's proposal, even after accounting for increases in funding for public schools and higher education, as well as reversing proposed cuts to services for people with disabilities. To make his plan work, Hough would redirect $451 million from funds set aside for renovations to the Missouri Capitol building. Hough argues the state cannot afford to 'sit on half a billion dollars' while underfunding education and social services.

  • In September 2025, Hough was removed as Senate Appropriations Committee chairman, just 20 minutes after voting against shutting off debate on bills to weaken the initiative petition process and gerrymander the state's congressional districts.
  • On February 25, 2026, Hough introduced his alternative budget proposal during a debate on the Senate floor.

The players

Lincoln Hough

A Republican state senator from Springfield who was stripped of his role as Senate Appropriations Committee chairman in 2025 after clashing with GOP leadership. Hough has now introduced an alternative state budget proposal as he prepares to leave office due to term limits.

Mike Kehoe

The Republican governor of Missouri, whose state budget proposal Hough's alternative plan is challenging.

Rusty Black

The Republican state senator from Chillicothe who replaced Hough as the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Maggie Nurrenbern

A Democratic state senator from Kansas City who discussed Hough's budget plan and criticized the cuts proposed by Governor Kehoe.

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What they’re saying

“I do not believe, at a time when we are underfunding education and not investing in our communities and not investing in our people back at home, that we can sit on half a billion dollars to maybe repaint the walls of the Capitol.”

— Lincoln Hough, State Senator (columbiatribune.com)

“Missouri's most vulnerable citizens and the families who care for them deserve our full support.”

— Rusty Black, State Senator (columbiatribune.com)

“When we're under-funding our neighborhood schools by $190 million, when we're cutting that transportation categorical by $15 million, what happens? School districts are forced to make really tough decisions like cutting after school programming or not providing additional tutoring opportunities, or, again, growing class sizes.”

— Maggie Nurrenbern, State Senator (columbiatribune.com)

What’s next

The introduction of Hough's alternative budget bills does not mean they will receive action any time soon, as there are 100 other Senate bills that must be assigned to committees before Hough's measures. Persuading Senate leadership to allow a hearing on Hough's proposal will be challenging, but the bills will be waiting when the Missouri House sends budget funding bills to the Senate next month.

The takeaway

Hough's alternative budget proposal represents a direct challenge to the spending priorities of the Republican governor and party leadership, underscoring the political divisions within the Missouri GOP. As Hough prepares to leave office, his plan aims to shift the state's fiscal focus toward education, social services, and other priorities before his departure.