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NewsBook: Missouri Government News for Week of April 22, 2002

 


. Legislative Wrap-Up: Only Three Weeks Left (04/26/02)
JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Senate approved an $18.8 billion budget for the next fiscal year beginning July 1. The Senate and House must now work out the differences in their budget proposals--all $260 million of them--in conference.

The House approved a bill that would allow private persons to carry concealed weapons. It was presented to the Senate Thursday.

  • Get the newspaper story.
    . The House approves legalizing concealed weapons. (04/25/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's House passed and sent to the Senate legislation to let private persons carry concealed weapons.

    The measure is similar to the one rejected by Missouri voters a few years ago -- except this latest version would not be subject to a statewide vote.

    The governor has vowed he would veto the bill if it is passed. Earlier this year, the House approved legislation to allow firearms to be hidden in cars.

  • Get the House roll call.
    . Senate Passes $18.8 Billion Budget (4/25/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - After nearly nine hours of debate and the announcement of $250 million in additional budget shortfalls for the current year, the Senate approved a $18.8 billion 2003 budget Thursday night.

  • Get the newspaper story.
  • get the radio story.
    . State budget is $250 million short, Holden says (04/25/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - The state's financial picture is worse than expected Gov. Bob Holden announced Thursday, saying he would have to find an extra $250 million on top of earlier withholdings to keep this year's budget out of the red.

    Holden said he was looking to withhold money from state programs, including life science grants, and tap into the state's Rainy Day Fund to come up with the needed money. The state constitution mandates that the budget, which ends June 30, must be balanced.

    Officials had predicted that tax revenues would fall, but the extent of that decline is worse than originally predicted, Holden said.

  • Get the newspaper story.
    . Final Approval from the Senate for Transportation Funding (04/24/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - By a vote of 27-5, the Senate gave final approval to a proposal that would ask voters to approve tax increases to fund transportation. Supporters of the plan say it would generate about $489 million each year.

    The measure now goes to the House for consideration.

  • Get the radio story.
  • Get the roll-call vote
    . First Day of Budget Debate in Senate Full of Action (04/24/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - The Senate passed two bills to give themselves breathing room as they begin floor debate of the state budget.

    The first bill changes some tax regulations to bring in an estimated $50 million of additional revenue. The second would sell a portion of the state's tobacco settlement to raise between $50 million and $100 million.

  • Get the newspaper story.
  • Get the roll call on mortgaging the tobacco settlement funds
    . Missouri Legislature Looks at Regulations on Payday Loans (04/24/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - The House is set for a second reading of a Senate bill which would strengthen regulations on the payday loan industry.

  • Get the newspaper story
    . Proposed Bill Lifts Residency Restrictions for St. Louis Police Officers (04/24/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - St. Louis police officers are currently required to live in the city they serve, but a proposed bill frees them from this residency restriction.

    St. Louis Senator Chuck Gross and Representative Joan Barry both support the bill, which they say would enable officers to access social services unavailable in the city.


    . House Votes for Tougher Rape Sentences (04/24/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - The house gave first-round approval on a bill that increases minimum sentences for forcible rape and sodomy and attempted forcible rape and sodomy.

    The bill sponsored by Rep. Mark Wright (R-Springfield), increases the minimum sentence for rape from five to 10 years and 15 years if there is serious physical injury or a deadly weapon involved.

    One amendment to the bill allows law enforcement to collect saliva samples from anyone arrested for a felony violation.

  • Get the radio story.
    . Efforts to Tap Tobacco Money Stall in Senate (04/23/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Efforts to raise money for the state's budget shortfall met stiff opposition in the Senate Tuesday from lawmakers opposed to closing tax loopholes and tapping into tobacco settlement payments.

    Senators debated two proposals that would raise nearly $120 million in additional revenue to avoid further budget cuts. However, the proposals were stalled by senators who proposed amendments to the bills.

    Senate leaders hoped to approve the measures, which they said would give them room to negotiate a settlement with the House members.


    . Gaming Opponents Meet at Capitol (04/23/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Christian groups opposed to liberalization of gambling laws converged on the Capitol Tuesday.

    They said their goal was to prevent the institution of quick-draw lotto games and to keep the state's loss limit intact. Some lawmakers are looking at a plan to get rid of the loss limit to raise more revenue for the state.

    Get the newspaper story.


    . Some Senators Speak Out Against Term Limits (04/23/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - The first major effects of constiutional term limits will be felt when the session ends May 18th.

    Twelve of 34 Missouri senators will be saying goodbye to the chambers and leaving vacancies for the entering class.

    Term limits prevent legislators from serving more than eight years.


    . Senator Calls for End to St. Louis Sex Torture Convention (4/23/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Sen. John Loudon submitted a resolution to the Missouri Senate condemning a Howard Johnson hotel for sponsoring a bondage and sex torture convention in St. Louis.

    The Senate will vote on the resolution on Thursday.

    Get the radio story.


    . Budget Moves Into Final Weeks (04/23/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Senate has begun debate on the state's budget.

    But the upper chamber decided to start it's process by looking at mortgaging some of the state's tobacco settlement funds to come up with some quick cash for next fiscal year's budget.

    The proposal before the Senate would give the administration authority to sell up to $1 billion the state expects to get in tobacco settlement payments over the next several decades for immediate cash to help balance next year's budget.

  • Get the newspaper story.
    . Plans For Horse Racing Track Hinge On Simulcast Legislation (04/22/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Louis Cella's family wants to build a horse racing track in St. Peters, but only if they can offer unlimited simulcasting of races from other tracks.

    Current Missouri law limits tracks to one day of simulcast racing for each day of live racing. The House has passed a bill that would lift that limit, while a Senate committee heard testimony on Monday from Cella and the bill's sponsor, Rep. Wayne Crump, D-Potosi.

  • Get the newspaper story.
  • Get the package of radio stories.
    . Senate Committee Cuts Bright Flight Scholarships by 10 Percent (04/22/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - The Senate Appropriations Committee cut the $2,000 Bright Flight scholarship by $200.

    The scholarship is awarded to Missouri's brightest students.

    If approved, the cuts will add $1.6 million to the higher education budget.

  • Get the radio story.