Scott Cupps — Called in the roll call; name appears as 'Cups' in the transcript.
Scott Cupps — Representative Scott Cupps opened by saying he was participating because of recurring problems with MoDOT, while noting he generally likes the team he works with. He then pressed MoDOT on when it would become more customer-service oriented, criticized small public meetings as performative, and said many local stakeholders—including county commissioners, contractors, and even MoDOT employees—have negative experiences with the agency’s adversarial and bureaucratic approach. He closed by introducing a constituent example involving a planned business that needs access and fuel service, illustrating the practical impact of MoDOT-related issues.
Scott Cupps — Referenced as raising the point about the issues being discussed.
Scott Cupps — Referenced as having raised the idea of a personal touch in road maintenance.
Scott Cupps — Scott Cupps is referenced and then speaks in a continuous exchange about concerns related to signs and broader bureaucratic issues. The discussion transitions back to him for one more question, and he then explains that, before moving on, an anonymous employee had shared information that helped motivate his concerns about those bureaucratic problems.
Scott Cupps — Addressed the chair and began discussing the market pay plan and prior conversations about it.
Scott Cupps — Scott Cupps continued his discussion of the roundabout project, first questioning whether a cheaper or safer alternative intersection could be used instead of a roundabout, then returning to explain and advance his roundabout amendment, which would restrict roundabouts at intersections where another entity is responsible for maintenance.
Scott Cupps — Scott Cupps was recognized to speak and used the opportunity to offer an extension of help, noting that some funding problems stem from bureaucracy and that he was willing to help address state-level issues. Shortly afterward, another speaker referenced Cupps’ earlier comments while building on the same discussion about logistics and supply chain concerns.
Melissa Douglas — Called in the roll call.
Melissa Douglas — Representative Melissa Douglas is recognized for an inquiry and thanks the witness before asking about MoDOT staffing needs, the distinction between MoDOT and Kansas City responsibilities, and prior requests for additional employees. She follows up by asking whether hiring more staff would reduce overtime and raises questions about overtime levels and 12-hour shifts, continuing the discussion of staffing pressures and overtime management.
Melissa Douglas — Returned the discussion to the budget book page and asked whether the committee was on page 202.
Melissa Douglas — Asked for an estimate of how much public transit fares might increase.
Melissa Douglas — Asked how the significant cut would affect World Cup-related tourism and the broader Missouri impact.
Stephanie Hein — Called in the roll call.
Stephanie Hein — Representative Hein is referenced in connection with the bridge discussion: the bridge had previously been appropriated, is partially built, and is expected to be completed by the 250 celebration, with the follow-up remark noting that Hein had already covered the same point.
Stephanie Hein — The chair references Representative Stephanie Hein as having a question, then asks whether the $20 million for low-volume roads was spent and whether the money was getting out the door. The discussion continues with clarification that the related House Bill 17 items were restricted, but this particular low-volume roads item is not restricted and the money will go out the door.
Stephanie Hein — Representative Stephanie Hein questioned why the rural transit line item has a significant amount of unexpended funds and asked whether the unused balance reflects that the appropriation authority exceeded the federal dollars actually received.
Jim Kalberloh — Called in the roll call; name appears as 'Calabrello' in the transcript.
Nick Kimble — Called in the roll call; name appears as 'Kimball' in the transcript.
Betsy Fogle — Representative Betsy Fogle is recognized to begin her inquiry and then opens with questions about budget control and the relationship between MoDOT and the General Assembly.
Betsy Fogle — Betsy Fogle is referenced as the ranking member in connection with prior comments, including discussion of related litigation, as part of the same ongoing exchange.
Betsy Fogle — Representative Fogle is called on for an inquiry and responds that the bridge was promised to Springfield, construction is underway, and it is expected to be completed in May.
Betsy Fogle — Requested recognition to inquire about the transit assistance line item and its funding reduction.
John Black — Called in the roll call.
John Black — Representative Black, following up on Representative Rigg’s question, asked how matching funds would be accessed for projects that had been zeroed out.
Mitch Boggs — Called in the roll call; name appears as 'Bogs' in the transcript.
Mitch Boggs — Representative Mitch Boggs raised concerns about the financial strain on small rural road districts caused by bridge inspection and replacement requirements. He described being in a pinch, asked for help and flexibility in meeting deadlines and funding pressures, noted the need for a long-term approach to aging bridges, and thanked MoDOT for its work while urging them to be mindful of the challenges facing rural counties.
Mitch Boggs — Representative Mitch Boggs is recognized for an inquiry about the Monnet Airport item, asking why it is not restricted and whether its continuation is tied to the project extending into a second year. He then pivots back to the related railroad crossing issue in La Russell, stressing that emergency access for fire, ambulance, and other response services cannot be blocked or split by construction. Boggs notes that a backup plan was developed, says the situation was likely a misunderstanding rather than intentional, and thanks the chair.
Darin Chappell — Called in the roll call; name appears as 'Chapel' in the transcript.
Darin Chappell — Representative Darin Chappell delivers a sustained critique of MoDOT’s bureaucracy and culture, saying the agency should work for citizens and not require legislators to resolve routine constituent problems. He describes repeated frustrations over seven years, including a story about a legislative liaison laughing at how hard a constituent issue would be to fix, and says most MoDOT complaints should never reach lawmakers. While praising the current director’s personal professionalism, he argues the broader system remains arrogant and unresponsive, asks whether MoDOT has a real plan to change its philosophy, and urges the agency to build customer service into its mission from the top down.
Darin Chappell — Representative Darin Chappell asked about the financial history of the line item, focusing on large lapse amounts over recent fiscal years. He questioned why the lapses were so consistently high, where the unspent money was going, and why so much of the budget was not being spent.
Darin Chappell — Representative Chappell questioned the department about the use of general revenue for the project, pressing whether all other applicable funding sources must be exhausted before GR is requested. The discussion centered on ensuring alternative funds are used first before relying on general revenue.
Darin Chappell — Referenced as having taken the discussion to page 202 and the roundabout issue.
Darin Chappell — Representative Chappell asks how much railroads contribute to grade crossing improvements.
Darin Chappell — Referenced as a friend in the context of discussing bureaucracy and funding.
Dirk Deaton — The speaker repeatedly acknowledges Dirk Deaton in his role as chair, first saying “Thank you, Mr. Chair,” then appreciating that the chair is present, and finally saying “Thank you, Chairman.”
Bishop Davidson — Noted as present as Vice Chair.
Betsy Fogle — Called in the roll call; name appears as 'Fogel' in the transcript.
Dirk Deaton — During the ongoing budget discussion, the chair is addressed as 'Mr. Chairman' in a continuous exchange.
Dirk Deaton — Called to order as Chair.
Nick Kimble — Likely intended reference in 'Representative Keps'; context suggests a member name was misheard, but this is uncertain.
Ed Lewis — Called in the roll call.
Ed Lewis — Ed Lewis raised concerns about the poor condition and safety of I-44 between Lebanon and Rolla, questioning why it is still classified as good pavement and when promised safety improvements will occur. A later brief response addressed him directly and indicated the issue could be checked later, continuing the same exchange.
Cathy Jo Loy — Called in the roll call.
Cathy Jo Loy — Recognized by the chair and asked for a timeline update on the I-44/I-49 project.
John Martin — John Martin is called during the roll call and continues to be listed as part of the same roll call sequence.
John Martin — Representative Martin asked whether any MODOT workers were killed in work zone accidents and noted the decline in fatalities.
John Martin — Representative Martin is recognized and asks a brief clarification question about items that were moved to House Bill 17 and then restricted, while the discussion continues in the same procedural context about moving on to additional related items.