Missouri Senate votes against voter majority by passing bill easing Prop. B
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Missouri Senate votes against voter majority by passing bill easing Prop. B

Date: March 10, 2011
By: Meghann Mollerus
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SB113, HB131 and the rollcall.

Intro: 
The Missouri Senate removed a year's worth of efforts to restrict Missouri dog breeders by passing a bill easing most Proposition B restrictions.
RunTime:  0:47
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Twenty Missouri Senators voted for the final time for a bill removing most Proposition B restrictions on dog breeders.

Missourians voted 52 percent in favor of Prop. B back in November.

Some lawmakers have argued voters were unaware that the measures passed in Prop. B were harming good breeders in the state.

A Humane Society spokeswoman Barb Schmitz says this isn't true.

Actuality:  SCHMITZ3.WAV
Run Time:  00:13
Description: "The issue was thoroghly debated for a year. Voters knew what they were doing. And if lawmakers are really intent on overturning the will of the people, then I find that extremely disappointing."

The Senate bill will move to the House.

The bill removes a Prop. B limitation on 50 dogs in breeding facilities and also dissolves bigger cage requirements.

From the Missouri State Capitol, I'm Meghann Mollerus.

Intro: 
Missouri Senators eased provisions voted for by Missourians in November to place restrictions on dog breeders.
RunTime:  0:42
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: A bill easing most Proposition B restrictions on dog breeders passed out of the Senate chamber with a 20 to 14 vote.

St. Louis Democratic Senator Maria Chappell-Nadal voted against changing the law, but acknowleged supporters' arguments about voter confusion.

Actuality:  NADAL1.WAV
Run Time:  00:12
Description: "Proposition B does not deal with pounds, yet it is messaged to our constituents that Proposition B is saving puppies."

The bill passed in the Senate removes Prop. B's limit on 50 dogs in breeding facilities. It also removes larger cage size requirements and hands-on veterinary exams.

The bill now will go to the House.

From the Missouri State Capitol, I'm Meghann Mollerus.

Intro: 
In what has become an urban vs. rural debate since November, the Missouri Senate voted to undo some Proposition B measures restricting activity in state dog breeding facilities.
RunTime:  0:39
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Twenty Missouri Senators voted against some of the restrictions voters passed with Proposition B in November.

The bill lifts the 50-dog limit and larger cage size requirements in breeding facilities.

Although the bill passed out of the Senate, Republican St. Louis Senator John Lamping warned there is a problem easing restrictions Missourians voted to pass.

Actuality:  LAMPING1.WAV
Run Time:  00:13
Description: "There's a risk to legislating this way, by proposition. I think I'm quite confident that my district read the bill, did their best to understand the bill, and voted their will. I think this is a very dangerous way to legislate."
 
The bill now will go to the House.
 
From the Missouri State Capitol, I'm Meghann Mollerus.