Archbishop’s Call Kills Missouri Private School Voucher Oversight Changes
St. Louis Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski’s phone call to a House committee chairman killed legislation that would have moved Missouri’s private school voucher oversight.
JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI — A legislative effort to transfer oversight of Missouri’s private school voucher program from the State Treasurer’s Office to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education ended Friday after St. Louis Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski called a key House committee chairman to oppose the measure.
State Rep. Jim Murphy, a Republican from St. Louis County and chairman of the House Fiscal Review Committee, refused to schedule a vote on the education bill following his Friday morning conversation with Rozanski. The legislation had cleared the Missouri Senate Thursday and needed fiscal review approval for final House consideration before the legislature adjourned for the year.
Archbishop’s Influence on Legislative Process
Murphy told The Missouri Independent that Rozanski’s call “only solidified” his opposition to the proposal, which he described as “not fiscally sound in any way.” The same archbishop had traveled to the State Capitol in March to support Murphy’s separate bill seeking to end Missouri’s death penalty.
The Archdiocese of St. Louis operates one of seven organizations that accept donations and distribute scholarships through the MOScholars program. The archdiocese did not respond to requests for comment about Rozanski’s intervention in the legislative process.
MOScholars Program Structure
The proposed legislation would have moved control of the MOScholars voucher program from the State Treasurer’s Office to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The program currently allows private organizations, including religious institutions, to accept donations and award scholarships to students attending private schools.
The oversight change was included in a comprehensive education bill that addressed multiple aspects of Missouri’s educational system. Supporters argued the transfer would provide more appropriate oversight of the voucher program under the state’s primary education agency.
Legislative Session Conclusion
Friday marked the final day of Missouri’s 2026 legislative session, creating a deadline pressure for pending bills. The House Fiscal Review Committee’s refusal to advance the education measure effectively killed the oversight transfer proposal for this legislative year.
Murphy’s decision came despite the bill’s successful passage through the Missouri Senate, where lawmakers had voted to approve the comprehensive education package including the MOScholars oversight provision. The legislation now cannot advance to Governor Mike Parson’s desk unless lawmakers address it in a special session or wait until next year’s regular session.
The failed attempt to change MOScholars oversight highlights ongoing debates about accountability and administration of Missouri’s private school voucher program, which has faced scrutiny over transparency and effectiveness since its implementation.
