John Black — The clerk called Representative Black during roll call.
Melissa Douglas — The clerk called Representative Douglas during roll call.
Stephanie Hein — During roll call, Representative Stephanie Hein was called and marked present.
Stephanie Hein — Asked to clarify the NDI and the requested positions for the senior advocate and another role.
Stephanie Hein — The chair asks whether Representative Hein has anything further.
Stephanie Hein — Called on by the chair for an inquiry or comment.
Jim Kalberloh — During roll call, the clerk called Representative Jim Kalberloh and marked him present.
Nick Kimble — The clerk called Representative Kimble during roll call.
Nick Kimble — Representative Nick Kimble asked whether the statutory 60% funding level is merely a suggestion or a legal requirement, and later was referenced as having raised key points on the same funding issue.
Cathy Jo Loy — The clerk called Representative Loy during roll call.
Cathy Jo Loy — Representative Cathy Jo Loy was recognized and thanked the speaker, then spoke in support of the arts and liberal arts education, emphasizing that the arts help literacy and education for students.
Don Mayhew — The clerk called Representative Mayhew during roll call.
Don Mayhew — Referenced as the representative who asked the speaker to comment on the Hannibal Folklife Festival.
Cameron Parker — The clerk called Representative Parker during roll call.
Cameron Parker — Cameron Parker asked about the senior advocate statute and position, including how long the statute has been in place, how the role was handled in the past, and whether the position had ever been cut or left unfilled.
Raychel Proudie — The clerk called Representative Proudie during roll call.
Raychel Proudie — A brief identification and recognition sequence occurred in which the chair or speaker tried to confirm who had raised a hand, mistakenly referring to 'Representative Proudie Collins,' and then correctly recognized Representative Raychel Proudie to proceed with her inquiry.
Louis Riggs — The clerk called Representative Riggs during roll call.
Louis Riggs — Representative Louis Riggs was recognized to make an inquiry and thanked the Lieutenant Governor for coming out. Shortly afterward, the discussion continued with a response to Riggs’ remarks, specifically addressing the large number of boards and commissions he was describing.
Greg Sharpe — The clerk called Representative Sharpe during roll call.
Greg Sharpe — The speaker referenced an upcoming visit on February 22nd and corrected the name to Representative Sharpe.
Greg Sharpe — Representative Riggs thanked the director for coming and emphasized the broader ripple effect of arts funding, including its impact on Folklife and STEAM education in Hannibal. Later references to Greg Sharpe point back to the same discussion, specifically his description of the 'ripple effect' and related points made in the exchange.
Kathy Steinhoff — The clerk called Representative Steinhoff during roll call.
Kathy Steinhoff — The clerk continued roll call with Representative Steinhoff.
Kathy Steinhoff — The chair or speaker called on Representative Steinhoff for a question.
Kathy Steinhoff — Asked why the appropriation was $2 million higher last year and whether the office is requesting the same amount this year.
Kathy Steinhoff — Was addressed by the chair and asked to inquire.
Kathy Steinhoff — Pressed the office to cut expenses within its own office, consistent with broader state reductions.
Mike Steinmeyer — During roll call, the clerk called Representative Mike Steinmeyer, continuing the sequence of member names.
Mike Steinmeyer — Begins speaking to thank the Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Ashcroft for their efforts and staff support regarding June.
Mike Steinmeyer — Representative Mike Steinmeyer was recognized and expressed frustration with the recommended funding ask, then continued by citing the Slavic Festival in Sugar Creek as an example of how arts funding supports culture and community.
Kemp Strickler — The clerk continued roll call with Representative Strickler.
Del Taylor — The clerk continued roll call with Representative Taylor, though the transcript is ambiguous.
Tim Taylor — The clerk continued roll call with Representative Tim Taylor.
Tim Taylor — Spoke about the St. Louis Symphony ribbon cutting and the ripple effect of arts investment.
Jeff Vernetti — Representative Jeff Vernetti is first noted during roll call, then the lieutenant governor refers to him as someone he has worked with, praising that collaboration and noting that Vernetti is sitting nearby.
Jeff Vernetti — Mentioned in a list of communities or projects receiving arts-related support.
John Voss — The clerk continued roll call with Representative Voss.
Christopher Warwick — The clerk continued roll call with Representative Warwick.
Christopher Warwick — Mentioned in connection with murals at the Aquatic Center.
Yolanda Young — The clerk continued roll call with Representative Young.
Yolanda Young — Representative Yolanda Young was called on to speak and then expressed strong support for the Missouri Arts Council. She referenced her prior nonprofit experience with grant funding and argued that arts funding is an investment that yields social and educational benefits. She urged that funding be restored and protected so the council does not become underfunded or eliminated.
HB12 — The committee announced that the Office of the Lieutenant Governor budget request is part of House Bill 12 for fiscal year 2027.
David Wasinger — The lieutenant governor introduced himself and began his budget presentation.
Darin Chappell — Was invited to inquire next.
Darin Chappell — Opened inquiry and asked about the prior fiscal year's appropriation and expenditure.
Darin Chappell — Asked for an explanation of the lapse between appropriation and actual expenditure.
Darin Chappell — His earlier point was referenced as part of the reminder about fairness and budget scrutiny.
Darin Chappell — Mentioned as knowing what a great job Anna does.
Darin Chappell — Representative Darin Chappell was recognized and continued a sustained discussion about the senior citizen advocate position, drawing on his personal connection through his mother’s work as an ombudsman and arguing that the position should be filled regardless of past practice or current funding. He cited the statute to emphasize that the advocate’s responsibilities are mandatory and pressed that the lieutenant governor’s office should staff the role.