Governor, House leaders discuss 2015 session
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Governor, House leaders discuss 2015 session

Date: May 15, 2015
By: Steven Anthony
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Governor Jay Nixon and the new Speaker of the House agree that one issue, sparked in part by Ferguson, was a major accomplishment of the 2015 Missouri Legislature
RunTime:  0:33
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Governor Jay Nixon praised the legislature for passing municipal court reform and getting it to his desk on time.

Actuality:  NIXONSB5.WAV
Run Time:  00:06
Description: "I'm eager to review the legislature's bill to reform municipal courts, a top priority I called for in my State of the State address."

House Speaker Todd Richardson said the bill will do good things for Missouri.

Actuality:  RICHSB5.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "It goes without saying that the municipal court reform legislation in Senate Bill 5 was one of the true highlights of the session."

The legislation was originally sponsored by St. Louis County Senator Eric Schmitt.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony.

Intro: 
One topic the legislature didn't address during its session is the transportation funding shortfall.
RunTime:  0:38
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Some bridges have had vehicle weight restrictions imposed and others have completely closed, but lawmakers failed to pass any transportation proposal, including a gas tax increase put forward by a Republican senator.

House Democratic Leader Jacob Hummel said the gas tax increase was the way to go.

Actuality:  HUMGASTX.WAV
Run Time:  00:10
Description: "I don't think there's any question that something needs to be done. What that level is, I don't know. I would've voted for the gas tax increase. I think that was the responsible thing to do."

Missouri could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding if it doesn't come up with the local match by 2017.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony.

Intro: 
A bill dealing with lethal force felt victim to the Senate stalemate Friday in the last day of the 2015 Missouri legislative session.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: A bill that would've specified when law enforcement officials could use deadly force did not pass the legislature when both chambers adjourned Friday.

This made Governor Jay Nixon very disappointed, but he stopped short of calling a special session on the issue.

Actuality:  NIXFORCE.WAV
Run Time:  00:12
Description: "The statute needs to be updated and consistent with the Supreme Court precedent in Tennessee vs. Garner. They had a lot of time to get this done and I certainly put it in the category of unfinished business."

Tennessee vs. Garner specifies that law enforcement officers can only use deadly force if the officer has "probable cause" to believe the suspect would cause injury or death.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony.