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Missouri Government News for Week of Dec. 4

• Governor Unveils School Violence Package
• Speaker Regects Secret Ballot Request
• Stench Promps Legislation
• GOP Defends Block Grants
• State Auditor Says Government Should Keep Excess Tax

This week's news summary was prepared by Jeremy Brown from reports prepared during the week by staff of Missouri Digital News.

The governor is traveling across the state to announce his proposed anti-school violence package. Children who assalt teachers could face felony charges under the new package. The proposal would also make it easier for school officials to check juvenile court records and prevent a student supspended at one school from enrolling in another.

For more details and digital audio, see the radio stories:

• Governor unveils school-violence package.
• Throwing an eraser at a teacher could lead to criminal charges.

Rep. Beth Long sent a letter to Speaker Bob Griffin to request a secret ballot in the upcoming speaker election.

Long wants members to be able to vote without fear of retribution. Griffin, in a news release, says that he will not allow secret voting while the house is in session.

See the newspaper story for details.

The continuing stench from hog plants in northern Missouri has brought corporate farming into the spotlight for the 1996 Legislative Session.

Rep. Gary Wiggins said a bill would be proposed to regulate animal waste.

See the newspaper story for details.

One of Missouri's top welfare officials has come under attack by the GOP for making statements about the Republican Congressional Plan for turning welfare over to the states.

The legislature complained that the statements made implied that admistrators rather than legislators are making decisions about the use of block grants.

Social Services Dept. Dir. Gary Stangler sent a letter in reply assuring legislators they have a role to play. The legislature is working on proposals on the use of block grants.

State Auditor Margaret Kelly says pay 13 million dollars too much for sales tax every year.

According to her audit of the Revenue Department, the money is refunded to the businesses that overcharged their customers.

Kelly says the money should go back to the consumer. If it cannot be returned to the consumer than it should be used for projects that benefit the public.

For more details, see the radio story (with digital audio).