Last year Westfall did not support the governor's tax increase proposal, but today says the state of Missouri's roads requires extra funding. His proposal includes an increase in the motor-fuel tax as well as in the general sales tax.

Ahead of his State of the State address later this month, Gov. Holden proposed clearer legislation against price gouging, stricter laws regarding anthrax hoaxes, and called for the construction of a new public health lab to identify bioterrorist attacks.

In a news conference on Wednesday, state auditor Claire McCaskill called upon the legislature to fix the problem and advocated increasing taxes paid by employers.

Legislators focus on maintaining education funding for the Formula Foundation Plan despite budget cuts.

She made her announcement at news conferences in St. Louis and Kansas City. McCaskill, the former Jackson County prosecutor, is serving her first term as State Auditor.

Kreider cited term limits, the economic recession and the upcomming fall campaigns as "fronts" that are contributing to the potential for a "perfect storm."

Last year, Westfall had been one of the major roadblocks for the governor's much larger package of tax and fee increases for transportation in last year's session. Since then, Westfall says he's become more convinced of the needs for additional funding.

Health Director Maureen Dempsey said she was leaving to spend more time practicing medicine.

Surpeme Court Judge John Holstein said he planned to practice law in Springfield, writing the governor "I've been on the Supreme Court a good long while."

Senate Administrator Ron Kirchoff retires after 33 years on the Senate staff -- the last 26 years as Senate administrator. He was the first person to hold that job.