The chairman of a special committee on welfare reform recommended lawmakers do as little as possible this year in changing the state's welfare system.
The approach, recommended by Sen. Harry Wiggins, came under immediate criticism from other committee members.
The committee was formed to review the various proposals that have been filed in response to the new powers federal welfare reform has given the state to restructure its welfare system.
See our newspaper story for complete details.
The Jackson County prosecuting attorney urged the House Crime Committee to approve legislation to crack down on prostitution.
The proposal would allow involuntary testing of those arrested for prostitution and make it a crime to patronize a prostitute.
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Just a week after lawmakers rejected an automatic pay increase, they've begun debate on raising their daily expense allowance.
The per diem, now at $35 per day, covers lodging and meal expenses for lawmakers in Jefferson City. But the $35 falls well below actual living expenses.
For more information, see our radio story.
On his first day back in the Capitol after his arrest for drunken driving, Rep. Phil Tate said he was considering resigning from office.
Tate said he was guilty and was concerned about how his actions reflected on his family and on the legislature.
But the northwest Missouri Democrat said he would make no hasty decisions about his future.
See our radio story with digital audio for details.
Missouri's Restaurant Association voiced objections to the governor's plan to cut the sales tax on groceries.
The measure would not cover meals purchased at restuarants or fast food services.
See our separate story for more information.
Exactly one-half of the Missouri Senate have co-sponsored the legislative session's first abortion restriction bill for 1997.
The measure is similar to the one approved and subsequently vetoed last year by the governor.
See our newspaper story for complete details.
Almost every member of the House, including the Republican leadership, have co-sponsored the Democratic governor's proposal to cut the state sales tax on groceries.
House Speaker Steve Gaw announced the tax package at a Thursday news conference.
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