MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
JEFFERSON CITY - It's been one week since the MU arena resolution was voted out of the Senate Rules committee--so why hasn't it been heard on the Senate floor?
The simple answer is that the committee chair, Sen. Bill Kenney, R-Lee's Summit, has not yet submitted his report to the Senate. A committee chair must present his report to the Senate President before the issue can be taken up by the full chamber.
"I have no idea when it will come up," Kenney said. "There are lots of other issues that are important to the state that we still need to work on."
Kenney cites redistricting, transportation and the women's health plan as priorities ahead of the arena.
"This will get to the floor this session," said Kenney. "And if it is passed, I think we have a moral obligation, as well as a fiscal responsibility, to pay for those bonds."
The more complicated version is a reported dispute between Kenney and Sen. Ken Jacob, D-Columbia.
Jacob refused to comment on the issue to the Missourian. He did however, arrange for Truman the Tiger to visit the Senate floor on Wednesday.
Truman came dressed in Kenney's #9 Kansas City Chiefs jersey, bearing a Mizzou basketball and a sign that read "Truman loves Bill Kenney."
Kenney says he was flattered by the attention.
"I picked up my little tiger and held it close to my heart," said Kenney. "That's where the university is."
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Chuck Graham of Columbia, says that the measure is in the Senate's hands now.
"I'm not going to tell him how to run his chamber," said Graham. "I still feel good about this."