NewsBook: Missouri Government News for October 28, 2002

 

. Proponents of Prop. A stand to benefit financially from higher tobacco tax (11/1/02)
JEFFERSON CITY - The Kansas City and St. Louis business groups behind Proposition A have ensured their regions will benefit from its passage at the expense of outstate research centers like SMS.

Missouri's hospitals, who also helped initiate the campaign, stand to gain as much as $100 million annually in supplemental payments from the state.

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    . Major drama in store for next week (11/01/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - As the country gears up to go to the polls on Tuesday, major excitement will be all over the Missouri Capitol all week.

    Republicans are feeling so good about their chances to take over the state House that they have moved up their party caucus to Wednesday -- just one day after the general election and a day earlier than usual.

    However, if Democrats keep control of the House, they may be faced with the chance to show a sign of either confidence or sympathy for Rep. Russ Carnahan. He plans to run for speaker if the party keeps control of the House, just a day after his mother, Jean Carnahan, stands for election to the U.S. Senate.

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    . Insurer to pay up for overcharging minorities (11/01/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - The Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. will pay up to $4.8 million to 55,000 Missourians for charging higher life insurance premiums just because of their racial or ethnic status.

    The settlement reaches back to policies issued in 1901 and provides compensation for people who paid more because of race-based pricing and underwriting on about 1.8 million policies. The settlement fund will donate $5 million to the United Negro College Fund.

    . Blunt asks voters to help clean up elections (10/31/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Secretary of State Matt Blunt is asking voters to watch out for vote fraud on Election Day. Fraud includes flooding the polls with unregistered voters or assisting others who are confused about which candidate they are voting for.

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    . Approval of Missouri's U.S. senator uncertain as election looms (10/31/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - The balance of power in the U.S. Senate will hang in the hands of Missouri Gov. Bob Holden and Secretary of State Matt Blunt thanks to confusion over the race between Sen. Jean Carnahan and Jim Talent.

    Federal law requires Missouri's secretary of state and governor both to sign off on the election results before they take effect.

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    . Blunt to investigate allegations of charging for notarizing ballots (10/31/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Secretary of State Matt Blunt announced he will look into allegations that some banks are charging for notarizing absentee ballots, a violation of state law.

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    . Nixon joins suit against satellite companies (10/31/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - State Attorney General Jay Nixon joined a lawsuit to block the proposed merger of national satellite broadcast companies Echostar and Hughes.

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    . Experts say proposed spam legislation faces big hurdles (10/28/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's Attorney General Jay Nixon and Rep. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, are proposing anti-spam legislation tougher than any in the nation.

    But experts say it will face both practical and legal obstacles before it's put into practice.

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    . Republicans say they won't be suprised if Holden stalls on Talent win (10/28/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Bob Holden is reluctant to commit to a time frame for certifying Jim Talent's election if he wins the race for U.S. Senate.

    Republicans say failure to act quickly would be going against the will of the people.

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