A stiff breeze keeps the Missouri state flag aloft on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, outside the Capitol in Jefferson City.

JEFFERSON CITY — Republicans in the Missouri House steamrolled through their priority bills Thursday, advancing a plan to put the St. Louis police under state control.

The GOP supermajority also gave final approval to a plan that could help Bayer avoid lawsuits linked to its Roundup weedkiller and they sent the Senate a blueprint for eliminating anti-racism programs in state government.

Work in the House capped a busy legislative week that left Democrats frustrated, angry and hoping their colleagues in the Senate would have better luck stopping the GOP juggernaut.

“I think their message to voters is that we know more than you,” said House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City. “The message is that their way is right.”

The police plan, approved on a 106-47 vote, is part of a wide-ranging crime bill that also seeks to address stunt driving, organized retail theft and more.

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House Bill 495 would place control of the city’s police department in the hands of a five-member board. The governor would appoint four of the members with the assistance of the city’s police unions, while the mayor would hold the fifth seat.

Six members, including Rep. Doug Clemens, D-St. Ann, and Rep. Nick Kimble, D-St. Louis, voted “present.”

The takeover plan has seen new momentum with the swearing-in of new Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe, a St. Louis native who considers it a priority.

“It’s one of his top priorities. It helps when you have a lot of support from the second floor,” said Rep. Brad Christ, a St. Louis County Republican who is sponsoring the takeover.

He argued the proposal is not a state takeover because local people will sit on the board.

Democrats scoffed at the claim.

“This is taxation without representation. This is a white power grab,” said Rep. Elizabeth Fuchs, D-St. Louis.