Lawmakers had until midnight Wednesday to reject a pay increase plan from the state's salary commission.

The plan, subject to subsequent appropriations, will allow lawmakers to get salary increases exceeding 5% for the next two years.

One plan would let Missouri voters decide if they want MoDOT to build toll roads, while the other would put MoDOT in charge of roads within St. Louis city limits.

While faculty members currently do not sit on governing boards, students have had this right for more than 12 years.

If people don't pay back their loans, legislators say other students suffer.

The resolution now goes to the Senate for a final vote. The legislature has until midnight Wednesday night to take action or the pay raises take effect, although some legislators argue they will be subject to appropriation.

The funding would be contingent on settlement of related tobacco lawsuits.

Some of his key goals are to fully fund the school foundation formula, increase teachers' salaries upon National Board certification and implement character education in schools.

Republicans say he was missing some details about some other aspects of his address.

During his State of the State address to a joint session of the legislature Tuesday, Holden said he would issue an executive order establishing a trust fund for tobacco settlement money that would be earmarked to pay for a variety of health care initiatives.

Blunt also recommended advanced voting and that an effort be made to move election day to a national holiday date.

The audit found that most of the general obligation bonds being issued by schools and local governments are being privately sold.

The House GOP education package also included a fast-track teacher certification process to alleviate what Republicans termed a serious teacher shortage.