St. Louis lawmaker wants to shorten legislative session
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St. Louis lawmaker wants to shorten legislative session

Date: February 27, 2013
By: Michael Doudna
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SJR 5

Intro: 
A Missouri senator proposed a bill that would shorten the time lawmakers work.
RunTime:  0:35
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: St. Louis County Senator John Lamping's bill would shorten the legislative session from 18 weeks to 12.

Lamping says that the bill would cut down on "wasted time" that exists in every session.

Kansas City Senator Ryan Silvey says that the shortened session would not allow enough time to come up with a comprehensive budget.

Silvey says he is cautious of the bill ceding even more power to an already powerful executive branch.

Actuality:  SILVEY.WAV
Run Time:  00:03
Description: "I like my governors like I like my coffee, which is very very weak."

 

Silvey says that the secret to his weak coffee is lots and lots of milk.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Michael Doudna

Intro: 
Missouri lawmakers discussed shortening their legislative session in the Senate Accountability Committee.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: St. Louis County Senator John Lamping says a shortened legislative session would lead to less wasted time.

Lamping's bill would shorten the legislative session from 18 weeks to 12 and would allow lawmakers to get back to their jobs in their respective districts.

Lamping says the bill would force a reassessment on how the government proceeds.

Kansas City Senator Ryan Silvey says that the bill might cede too much power to the executive branch. 

Actuality:  SILVEY2.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: "I mean my concern is that if you shorten that process you cede more and more power to the executive. Which I feel like we've already ceded too much power to the executive"

The committee took no action on the bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Michael Doudna