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Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, and Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the Senate floor in Jefferson City. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

JEFFERSON CITY Missourians hoping to place bets on sporting events will have to wait at least another year after Republican infighting in the Missouri Senate left a handful of high-profile issues unresolved as the Legislature adjourned for the year Friday.

Along with a furious, last-minute failed push to tax and regulate wagering on sports, a chaotic final day in the upper chamber meant the demise of a bid to reduce the states personal property tax on vehicles. The Senate also failed to sign off on a proposal to make it harder to alter the state constitution before the final gavel sounded.

The House had a higher success rate as it chugged toward adjournment. Among a flurry of bills that moved to Gov. Mike Parsons desk is a proposal designed to provide more access to banks for companies involved in the marijuana business.

Pot businesses have had trouble finding banking options because many financial institutions dont want to handle accounts for companies selling a product federal officials consider illegal.

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While the GOP-majority House moved smoothly to wrap up its work Friday, the Senate was the scene of parliamentary sparring between Senate Majority Leader Cindy OLaughlin, R-Shelbina, and Sen. Bill Eigel, a Weldon Spring Republican who is considering a run for governor in 2024.

OLaughlin attempted to run a tight ship in her first year as floor leader, sticking to a schedule that had most senators out of the building at dinner time rather than enduring lengthy overnight debates.

Hoping to end an impasse that had tied up the Senate on Thursday, OLaughlin used a series of procedural motions to push a sports betting bill to the forefront of the days action.

But, the sponsor of the measure, Sen. Denny Hoskins, an ally of Eigel, set the bill aside without debate, ending an effort to bring Missouri in line with nearly all of its surrounding states when it comes to gambling on sports.

Sports gambling has passed easily out of the House for the past two years. But Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, has blocked its advance, saying the expansion of gambling must also address illegal slot machines that have flooded the state.

Eigel attempted to position his personal property tax reduction legislation on the floor, but was defeated on a 26-8 procedural vote, leading him to resume a filibuster he had started Thursday by reading a book about former President Ronald Reagan.

Political theater

OLaughlin, in her first year as the floor leader in the chamber, soon adjourned the chamber, decrying what she called political theater that resembles mud wrestling.

She accused Eigel of tying the Senate in knots when he doesnt get his way.

People bring legislation to the floor that they cannot get passed and then, in retaliation for that, they hang up the business of the Senate for hour after hour after hour, OLaughlin said. Were not all running for governor. We just want to do the work of the Senate. We need cooperation from everyone to get that done.

Eigel scoffed at his colleagues, saying they chose to debate sports betting, which would financially benefit Missouri sports teams, rather than his plan to reduce personal property taxes, which would help everyone who owns a vehicle.

The theater of Jefferson City will go on long after we gavel out today, Eigel said. Nobody got into politics because they were intent on being nice.

After taking a nearly four-hour break to let tempers cool, the Senate returned to more gridlock from Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, who has burned up hours of time this session filibustering various bills in order to push his initiatives.

In this case, he bemoaned the Senates failure to approve legislation restricting the foreign ownership of farmland. Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, joined Moon in stalling action in the Senate.

Freshman Sen. Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit, said he questioned running for the Senate last year after serving in the House for eight years.

I didnt want to be here for this very reason, Fitzwater said, adding that his colleagues who gummed up the session were selfish.

The people of Missouri deserve better, Fitzwater said.

Republican egos

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, decried the grievance politics in the Senate, saying Republican egos are standing in the way of progress on issues that affect Missourians.

House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, said the Senates failure on reforming the initiative petition process could lead to the restoration of abortion rights via the ballot.

If the Senate fails to take action on IP reform, I think the Senate should be held accountable for allowing abortion to return to Missouri, Plocher said.

Senate President Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, said he is embarrassed Missouri doesnt have sports betting when nearly all surrounding states allow it and are generating tax revenue when people place bets.

Rowden suggested that Eigel and Hoskins had a problem with OLaughlin deciding which bills get to be debated.

Maybe they dont like a woman being in charge, he told the Post-Dispatch.

Eigels tax legislation, which is likely to be a centerpiece of his gubernatorial run, would exempt vehicles at least 10 years old from the personal property tax.

The bill also cuts the personal property tax assessment rate from 33.3% to 31%. Currently, personal property is assessed at a third of its real value, which local governments then tax.

It faced an uphill climb to win support from Democrats and Republicans, including OLaughlin, who said local governments would lose big chunks of revenue that helps pay for road maintenance, nursing homes and public safety.

Republicans in the House sought to keep both the tax and betting issues alive. After 2:30 p.m. Friday, with less than four hours before their adjournment deadline, the House sent a measure to the Senate that would slash personal property taxes and legalize sports betting.

I think were showing once again to the people of our state that the House continues to work and continues to really go above and beyond in trying to negotiate with the other side of the building, said Rep. Ben Baker, R-Neosho.

The Missouri House of Representatives concludes its business on Friday, May 12, 2023. Lawmakers, as is tradition, throw papers in the air to mark the end of the session.

The measure did not surface on the Senate floor before the day ended.

As for the next step in the sports betting saga, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals have said they may begin collecting signatures to place a question on the 2024 statewide ballot asking if wagering on athletic events should be legalized.

Im sorry the session ended the way it did, OLaughlin said. We need to look forward to next year and we need to work hard on our relationships. I hope we come back with a renewed sense of collegiality.

Members of the Missouri House of Representatives throw papers into the air as part of the traditional paper toss marking the final moments on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the House floor in Jefferson City.

Members of the Missouri House of Representatives throw papers into the air as part of the traditional paper toss marking the final moments on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the House floor in Jefferson City.

Rep. Travis Wilson, R-St. Charles, gathers paper to throw into their air as part of the traditional paper toss marking the final moments on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the House floor in Jefferson City. Photo by Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

J.J. Hurlbert, 4, the son of Rep. Josh Hurlbert, R-Smithville, helps members of the House pick up papers flung into the air as part of the traditional paper toss marking the final moments on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the House floor in Jefferson City. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Colleagues gather around Rep. Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City, center, on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the House floor in Jefferson City. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Rep. Josh Hurlbert, R-Smithville, plays with his daughter 17-month-old Rebekah, as his daughter Rose, 7, and J.J. visit him at this desk on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the House floor in Jefferson City. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Stella, 14, and Owen, 15, join their father House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres on the dais on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the House floor in Jefferson City. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Rep. Brian Seitz, R-Branson, dons his Superman tie on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the House floor in Jefferson City. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Rep. Lisa Thomas, R-Lake Ozark, right, joins her colleagues as they throw papers into their air as part of the traditional paper toss marking the final moments on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the House floor in Jefferson City. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Rep. Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City, cools off on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the House floor in Jefferson City. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Rep. Brad Christ, R-St. Louis County, laughs during the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the House floor in Jefferson City.

Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, speaks on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the Senate floor in Jefferson City.

Sen. Nick Schroer, R-Defiance, on the day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the Senate floor in Jefferson City. Photo by Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Rep. Travis Wilson, R-St. Charles, bows to his colleagues after being called out on his "offensive" plaid jacket on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the House floor in Jefferson City.

Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the Senate floor in Jefferson City. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Sen. Lauren Arthur, D-Kansas City, dons Princess Leia braids on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the Senate floor in Jefferson City. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Senate Majority Leader Cindy OLaughlin, R-Shelbina, and Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, confer on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the Senate floor in Jefferson City.

Sen. Lauren Arthur, D-Kansas City, dons Princess Leia braids on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the Senate floor in Jefferson City. Photo by Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, and Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the Senate floor in Jefferson City. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, introduces a guest on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the House floor in Jefferson City. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, talks on the phone on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the House floor in Jefferson City. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Rep. Jon Patterson, R-Lee's Summit, on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the House floor in Jefferson City. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Rep. LaKeySha Bosley, D-St. Louis, speaks in support of an emergency clause on legislation that would support maternal health for low-income mothers on the last day of the legislative session on Friday, May 12, 2023, on the House floor in Jefferson City. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

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On final day, Missouri Republicans fail in bid to approve sports betting - St. Louis Post-Dispatch