With lawmakers anxious to get home for a short weekend prior to the ending week of the session, the House voted to table the proposal after only about an hour of debate.

The proposal would sought to have Missouri ratify the U.S. constitutional amendment offered some 30 years. But critics said the Congressional deadline had passed making the Missouri proposal irrelevant.

Earlier in the day, the House approved a plan to give the legislature more control over bond issues by the Highways Department.

Although the Department would be empowered to issue $250 in bonds immediately on their own, other bond issues would require legislative approval of the project plan.

Lawmakers completed the budget Friday afternoon. They return Sunday night for the final week of what many legislators and lobbyists have called the least productive and most boring session in recent memory.

The committee chairman, Rep. Tim Harlan, conceded his committee's vote killed the idea for this year and left little chance for change before more than half of Missouri's legislature will be forced out of office by term limits in two years.

Some lawmakers privately said they supported the effort to extend term limits, but did not want to take the political risk of voting for the change for fear the legislative leadership would not let the measure clear the House even if it got out of committee.

The proposal would establish a voluntary funding system for candidates who agree to the spending limits.

The increase covers those continue to serve after their 15th session and age 60.

The increase was attached to a House bill that, originally, covered retirement only for St. Louis city firefighters.

The measure now heads to a House-Senate conference committee to work out the differences between the two chambers.

However, extended debate blocked a Senate vote on the proposal that is supported by the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.

The proposal would government-financed retirement deals be equitable and not provide special benefits for a specific person.

The proposal comes after the State Auditor criticized retirement packages from some of the state's higher education institutions including that of MU's former basketball coach Norm Steward.

On Wednesday, a representative from the group came to the Capitol to voice opposition to a plan that would allow voters to extend the limits to twelve years.

The group and several legislators say it is too early to take this issue back to the voters.

In 1992, Missourians approved 8 year limits by a 3 to 1 margin.

But, supporters of the 12 year limit say voters should be given the choice again.

They say limits will cause a loss of the knowledge that is necessary for the legislature to function.

The proposal was tacked onto a measure originally covering retirement for St. Louis firefighters when it passed the House earlier this year.

The amendment would add to the retirement base of a legislator who had served longer than 15 years, was 60 years or older and had not yet retired.

The amendment was sponsored by Sen. John Schneider, D-St. Louis County, who also is sponsor of the Senate-passed plan to extend legislative term limits.

The bill with the retirement increase still needs Senate approval.

The statement was made during debate on the Senate floor.

Unbeknownst to you, the memo says that unless you immediately report to a government organization, your case will be closed. That means the money you need to survive will cease.

But, with only one week left to go in the session, it may be too late.

One Republican suggested their large number of amendments was repayment for the Democratic leadership's actions in the House where Republicans were blocked from offering even a single amendment.

The Senate's top Democratic leader said he would try again at some point in the remaining two weeks of this year's session.

Supporters say the purpose of the bill is to provide an alternative to a new mother to dumping a new born infant in conditions that threaten the child's live.

The rooms were constructed with temporary barriers in what had been public hallways just off the House and Senate chambers.

Ironically, the action came at the same time that a growing number of legislators are complaining about the few number of bills that are being passed this year.

Meanwhile, temporary signs House staff had installed telling the public they could not use the governor's public elevator have disappeared on all but the floor where the House chamber is located.

The request was made at an unusual meeting with the House Speaker, hospital lobbyists and lobbyists for Missouri newspapers.

The version of the drunk driving legislation that gained committee approval doesn't outlaw open containers in autos.

Also removed from the committee chairman's plan was a provision for tougher penalties for offenders and drivers who have an excessive blood alcohol content.

It does lower the legal limit to .08, but provides lower penalties for the lower DWI levels.

Members from the North Kansas City Hospital, Missouri Hospital Association and Missouri Press Association met to discuss their differences with the proposed legislation awaiting action by the full House.