Governor Mike Kehoe has officially launched Show-Me America 250, Missouri’s year-long celebration leading up to the nation’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. The announcement came during the opening ceremony of the Missouri State Fair, which the Governor proclaimed a “Great American Fair.”
The Show-Me America 250 initiative will highlight Missouri’s rich contributions to our nation’s history—from the Louisiana Purchase to westward expansion—while encouraging all Missourians to reflect on our past, celebrate our present, and look toward our future.
Events and programs will center on three pillars:
• Educate – Supporting civic education and patriotic learning in schools.
• Engage – Encouraging community involvement through events and service projects.
• Celebrate – Hosting public events marking historic milestones.
Missourians can learn more, find upcoming events, and discover ways to participate by visiting showme250.mo.gov.
Ensuring Fair and Accurate Elections in Missouri
This year, Missouri has taken significant steps to protect the integrity of our elections by removing more than 200,000 ineligible names from the state’s voter rolls. According to the Secretary of State’s office, these removals included individuals who had passed away, felons, non-citizens, and those who had moved out of state but were still registered in Missouri.
Cleaning up the voter rolls helps prevent the possibility of someone voting twice in the same election and ensures that only eligible voters can cast a ballot. Missouri continues to work closely with local election authorities and federal partners to maintain accurate records, protect against voter fraud, and keep our elections secure.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes Saving Lives, Expanding Across Missouri
A life-saving program that began with legislation passed by the Missouri House is proving its worth—and is now expanding statewide. Safe Haven Baby Boxes are secure, climate-controlled incubators that allow a newborn to be safely and anonymously surrendered, with no legal consequences for parents.
Missouri’s first Baby Box was installed in Mehlville in August 2023 and used just six months later, saving the life of a newborn girl who is now healthy and adopted. Since then, seven Baby Boxes have been installed across Missouri, with more on the way.
Just last week, that same box in Mehlville was used for a second time when a mother made the selfless decision to place the baby girl in the box. The child was immediately retrieved by emergency responders at the fire station and transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
Missouri’s current state budget includes $250,000 in cost-share funding to help communities cover installation costs—enough for 25 additional Boxes.
These Boxes ensure the safety of infants while protecting the anonymity of the parent, and provide immediate resources for mothers in crisis. Lawmakers and first responders hope to see them available statewide so that no community is without this vital option.
For confidential help or more information, call the Safe Haven Crisis Line at (866) 992-2291 or visit shbb.org.
Missouri Students Show Steady Gains in MAP Scores
Preliminary results from the 2024-25 Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) show continued improvement in student performance statewide. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reports a 98% participation rate across required assessments, including English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, and key End-of-Course (EOC) exams.
ELA scores improved at most grade levels, with slight declines in grade 4. Math scores also rose overall, except in grades 4 and 5. Science scores increased in both grades 5 and 8, with grade 8 Science and Algebra I showing the largest gains.
Education Commissioner Dr. Karla Eslinger says the results reflect “slow and steady progress,” while noting the need for continued focus so all students have access to high-quality programs.
District and school-level data will be released in November when results are finalized.
Missouri Selected to Pilot New Student Assessment System
The U.S. Department of Education has chosen Missouri as the only state this year to participate in the Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority (IADA) Program. Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, Missouri will launch the Success Ready Student Assessment (SRSA) — a modern, student-focused approach to measuring learning in English language arts and math.
Unlike traditional end-of-year tests, SRSA uses modular assessments throughout the year to give students multiple chances to demonstrate mastery, while providing real-time feedback to teachers, families, and students. The system is aligned to Missouri Learning Standards and supports both traditional and competency-based learning.
This pilot program was developed in collaboration with Missouri educators and stakeholders and is funded in part by a $1 million federal grant. This new approach is intended to enhance teaching and learning and provide more meaningful insights to help students succeed.
Intern and Apprentice Tax Credit Applications Open
Missouri employers can now apply for the Intern and Apprentice Tax Credit program through November 15, 2025. This program, offered by Missouri One Start in the Department of Economic Development, provides tax credits to businesses that expand their number of interns or apprentices.
Eligible employers—including sole proprietors, corporations, partnerships, and LLCs—may receive up to $1,500 per intern/apprentice, with a maximum of $9,000 per year.
The goal is simple: help Missouri businesses recruit and retain talented workers while giving more students and job seekers valuable hands-on experience.
Full program details and application information are available at Missouri One Start’s website.
Upcoming Changes to Vehicle Sales Tax and Licensing
A new law will soon change how Missourians pay sales tax when buying a vehicle. Passed as part of Senate Bill 28, the change will take effect in late 2026 or early 2027, once the Missouri Department of Revenue’s new FUSION system is fully operational.
Under the new system, buyers purchasing from a dealership will pay sales tax at the time of purchase. For private sales, buyers will continue to pay sales tax at a Missouri license office. In both cases, buyers will receive a paper copy of their license plate immediately, with the permanent metal plate mailed later. Temporary tags will be eliminated.
This change aims to prevent lost state revenue from unpaid sales taxes while streamlining the licensing process. Until the FUSION system is live, the current process will remain in place.
Respectfully Submitted,
Preliminary results from the 2024-25 Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) show continued improvement in student performance statewide. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reports a 98% participation rate across required assessments, including English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, and key End-of-Course (EOC) exams.
ELA scores improved at most grade levels, with slight declines in grade 4. Math scores also rose overall, except in grades 4 and 5. Science scores increased in both grades 5 and 8, with grade 8 Science and Algebra I showing the largest gains.
Education Commissioner Dr. Karla Eslinger says the results reflect “slow and steady progress,” while noting the need for continued focus so all students have access to high-quality programs.
District and school-level data will be released in November when results are finalized.
Missouri Selected to Pilot New Student Assessment System
The U.S. Department of Education has chosen Missouri as the only state this year to participate in the Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority (IADA) Program. Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, Missouri will launch the Success Ready Student Assessment (SRSA) — a modern, student-focused approach to measuring learning in English language arts and math.
Unlike traditional end-of-year tests, SRSA uses modular assessments throughout the year to give students multiple chances to demonstrate mastery, while providing real-time feedback to teachers, families, and students. The system is aligned to Missouri Learning Standards and supports both traditional and competency-based learning.
This pilot program was developed in collaboration with Missouri educators and stakeholders and is funded in part by a $1 million federal grant. This new approach is intended to enhance teaching and learning and provide more meaningful insights to help students succeed.
Intern and Apprentice Tax Credit Applications Open
Missouri employers can now apply for the Intern and Apprentice Tax Credit program through November 15, 2025. This program, offered by Missouri One Start in the Department of Economic Development, provides tax credits to businesses that expand their number of interns or apprentices.
Eligible employers—including sole proprietors, corporations, partnerships, and LLCs—may receive up to $1,500 per intern/apprentice, with a maximum of $9,000 per year.
The goal is simple: help Missouri businesses recruit and retain talented workers while giving more students and job seekers valuable hands-on experience.
Full program details and application information are available at Missouri One Start’s website.
Upcoming Changes to Vehicle Sales Tax and Licensing
A new law will soon change how Missourians pay sales tax when buying a vehicle. Passed as part of Senate Bill 28, the change will take effect in late 2026 or early 2027, once the Missouri Department of Revenue’s new FUSION system is fully operational.
Under the new system, buyers purchasing from a dealership will pay sales tax at the time of purchase. For private sales, buyers will continue to pay sales tax at a Missouri license office. In both cases, buyers will receive a paper copy of their license plate immediately, with the permanent metal plate mailed later. Temporary tags will be eliminated.
This change aims to prevent lost state revenue from unpaid sales taxes while streamlining the licensing process. Until the FUSION system is live, the current process will remain in place.
Respectfully Submitted,
State Representative Dane Diehl
Missouri’s 125th District
Phone: 573-751-4065
Email: Dane.Diehl@house.mo.gov
Missouri’s 125th District
Phone: 573-751-4065
Email: Dane.Diehl@house.mo.gov
