Great Northwest Day at the Capitol

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What are the region's biggest legislative priorities for 2026?

Great Northwest Day at the CapitolSM exists as a cooperative effort by Northwest Missouri communities to unify and enhance our region’s image in Jefferson City and to pursue issues and legislation beneficial to the “Great Northwest.” The Priorities Committee, under the leadership of Kim Milward, collected the region's legislative priorities for the February 2026 event. The goal each year is to present to our legislators and government officials a strong, united message grounded in a broad range of voices and research.

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 2026

INVESTING IN RURAL AND REGIONAL INNOVATION Strengthening Northwest Missouri Communities

  • EXPAND RURAL HEALTHCARE ACCESS
  • INCREASE CHILDCARE OPPORTUNITIES
  • INVEST IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND REGIONAL INNOVATION
  • SUPPORT K–12 EDUCATION IN MISSOURI’S RURAL AND SMALL SCHOOLS
  • EXPAND WORKFORCE HOUSING
  • ENSURE FAIR AND SUSTAINABLE TAX REFORM

The committee gathers input from community leaders throughout the region via an online survey of county coordinators, as well as consulting with regional planning and advocacy groups such as the Missouri Coalition of Counties, Northwest Missouri Roundtable of Economic Development, Transportation Advisory Committees, Solid Waste Districts, Area Agency on Aging, Leadership Northwest Missouri, United Way, and others in healthcare, economic development, education, and quality of life. Feedback is reviewed against the criteria of:

  • Legislative impact,
  • Overarching regional impact,
  • Non-partisan perspective, and
  • Timeliness of concern.

The Great Northwest Day Steering Committee provides final review and approval before sharing it with all state legislators, regional media, and other leaders throughout the region and state.

Interested in reviewing a full history of the priorities shared since 2003? Visit the Document Library on this page and download the retrospective summary! The event's full website is located at http://www.greatnorthwestday.com/.

Please check the Great Northwest Day website to learn more about the organization and find out how to register to join the entourage in Jefferson City in 2027!

Visit http://www.greatnorthwestday.com/ today!

What were the priorities highlighted in previous years?

Download the white papers in the Document Library on this page for more information!


What are the region's biggest legislative priorities for 2026?

Great Northwest Day at the CapitolSM exists as a cooperative effort by Northwest Missouri communities to unify and enhance our region’s image in Jefferson City and to pursue issues and legislation beneficial to the “Great Northwest.” The Priorities Committee, under the leadership of Kim Milward, collected the region's legislative priorities for the February 2026 event. The goal each year is to present to our legislators and government officials a strong, united message grounded in a broad range of voices and research.

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 2026

INVESTING IN RURAL AND REGIONAL INNOVATION Strengthening Northwest Missouri Communities

  • EXPAND RURAL HEALTHCARE ACCESS
  • INCREASE CHILDCARE OPPORTUNITIES
  • INVEST IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND REGIONAL INNOVATION
  • SUPPORT K–12 EDUCATION IN MISSOURI’S RURAL AND SMALL SCHOOLS
  • EXPAND WORKFORCE HOUSING
  • ENSURE FAIR AND SUSTAINABLE TAX REFORM

The committee gathers input from community leaders throughout the region via an online survey of county coordinators, as well as consulting with regional planning and advocacy groups such as the Missouri Coalition of Counties, Northwest Missouri Roundtable of Economic Development, Transportation Advisory Committees, Solid Waste Districts, Area Agency on Aging, Leadership Northwest Missouri, United Way, and others in healthcare, economic development, education, and quality of life. Feedback is reviewed against the criteria of:

  • Legislative impact,
  • Overarching regional impact,
  • Non-partisan perspective, and
  • Timeliness of concern.

The Great Northwest Day Steering Committee provides final review and approval before sharing it with all state legislators, regional media, and other leaders throughout the region and state.

Interested in reviewing a full history of the priorities shared since 2003? Visit the Document Library on this page and download the retrospective summary! The event's full website is located at http://www.greatnorthwestday.com/.

Please check the Great Northwest Day website to learn more about the organization and find out how to register to join the entourage in Jefferson City in 2027!

Visit http://www.greatnorthwestday.com/ today!

What were the priorities highlighted in previous years?

Download the white papers in the Document Library on this page for more information!


Page last updated: 23 Feb 2026, 09:37 AM