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Equal Rights Amendment takes a step in Missouri Legislature

April 13, 2000
By: Tammara Porter
State Capital Bureau

The Senate Rules Committee has approved on a straight party-line vote a resolution to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Tammara Porter has more from Jefferson City.

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OutCue: SOC

The Equal Rights amendment says women and men should and will be treated as equals.

The amendment passed out of a senate committee with Republicans saying no and Democrats saying yes.

St. Louis County Senator Republican Leader Steve Ehlmann says it's a bad idea to treat women and men as equals all of the time.

Actuality:EHLMANN1
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OutCue: "PEOPLE DIFFERENTLY"
Contents: EHLMANN SAYS HE DOESN'T WANT TO CREATE LEGISLATION THAT SAYS A STATE CAN NEVER TREAT PEOPLE DIFFERENTLY.

Ehlmann says there are times when women do need to be treated differently, like on concerns of child care.

The amendment could be debated on the Senate floor as early as next week.

From the capital, I'm Tammara Porter.

A Senate committee has approved an Equal Rights Amendment but not before pitting Republicans against Democrats.

Tammara Porter has more from Jefferson City.

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A straight-line party vote sends the amendment allowing women to be treated the same as men to the Senate floor.

Democrats say women are not equally protected and it's now Missouri's turn to join the other states that have ratified the amendment.

Democratic Senator Joe Maxwell says the U.S. Constitution purposely excluded women.

Actuality:MAXWELL1
RunTime: 8
OutCue: "EXCLUED THEM"
Contents: MAXWELL SAYS THE CONSTITUTION DENIES WOMEN EQUAL RIGHTS BY DESIGN. OUR FOUNDING FATHERS SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED THEM.

Supporters say this small step by the Missouri Senate puts the amendment closer to getting the ratification it needs from two thirds of the states.

But opponents argue that the deadline for ratifying the amendment passed years ago and states shouldn't be allowed to still vote on it.

From the capital, I'm Tammara Porter