Republicans splinter as Senate delays redistricting vote
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Republicans splinter as Senate delays redistricting vote

Date: April 14, 2011
By: Theo Keith
State Capitol Bureau
Links: See the House and Senate maps

Intro: 
Missouri's legislature fractured Thursday, unable to finish the state's congressional redistricting map.
RunTime:  0:38
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The delay splintered the Republican supermajority.

House Republicans voiced frustration that the Senate refused to conference to work out differences.

Those differences are mostly out-state spats.

The House and Senate maps both confine St. Louis City to a single district.

St. Louis County Republican Rep. John Diehl says it will stay that way.

Actuality:  DIEHL5.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "Practically speaking, to the extent that there are differences in the map, we're going to be talking about differences in the map, not sit there and figure out new things we can disagree about."

House Republican leaders have decided not to meet Monday, saying there's nothing to do because of the logjam in the Senate.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: 
Missouri Republicans' supermajority has splintered, which still leaves Russ Carnahan the odd man out in congressional redistricting.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: In what House Republicans portrayed as a snub, they say their counterparts in the Senate refused to work out differences over redrawing district lines.

Because of that, House Republican leader Tim Jones says there's nothing for the House to do on Monday.

Actuality:  JONES4.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "If the Senate had responded to our request on the redistricting map, we would very likely have had something to do."

Instead, Senate Republicans met behind closed doors for most of the morning.

It's rural Senate Republicans who are complaining about the way the lines are drawn.

Both chambers have confined St. Louis City to a single district, eliminating Carnahan's seat.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: 
The top Democrat in Missouri's House says the standoff within the Republican supermajority is slowing down important legislation.
RunTime:  0:42
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Mike Talboy watched as Missouri's legislature fractured.

The House's Republican leaders decided not to have floor debate on Monday, saying there's nothing to do.

Talboy says he's never seen that before.

Actuality:  TALBOY6.WAV
Run Time:  00:10
Description: "It's disappointing that we get to some sort of standoff where we decide that we're going to adjourn early. It is what it is at this point."

On the other side of the building, Senate Republicans have stalled on a number of priorities.

Rural Republicans and members from St. Louis Congressman Russ Carnahan's district are unhappy with the district lines.

Carnahan's district is slated to get cut in both the House and Senate maps.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: 
Missouri Republicans' supermajority has splintered over a number of priorities with just four weeks left in session.
RunTime:  0:39
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Lawmakers were at a standoff this week over redrawing Missouri's congressional districts.

But Senate Republicans have also stalled a measure to give tax breaks to businesses who create jobs.

The same with allowing Ameren Missouri to charge ratepayers to build a second nuclear power plant...

...Spending nearly $190 million in federal funds for education...

...And accepting a quarter-billion dollars in stimulus money.

Lawmakers have less than a month, until May 13, to pass these measures.

Two high-profile bills, extending unemployment benefits and rolling back dog breeding restrictions, have already passed.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.