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NewsBook: Missouri Government News for Week of January 7, 2002

 


. Columbia legislators lobby for mental health insurance. (01/10/02)
JEFFERSON CITY - Columbia representatives Vicky Riback Wilson and Tim Harlan were set on Thursday to file a bill eradicating what they call the discrepancies between insurance policies for physical and mental problems.

The proposed bill would force insurance companies to provide some mental health coverage under general health coverage policies.

  • Get the newspaper story.
    . Senate Transportation Committee chairman favors tax increase. (01/10/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Sen. Morris Westfall said Thursday that he would favor a tax increase to fund the state's roads.

    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.


    . Holden outlines early initiatives for fighting terrorism (01/10/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Holden outlined initiatives for fighting terrorism Thursday.

    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.

  • Get the newspaper story.
    . Audit released Wednesday finds state unemployment fund could be insolvent as of 2003. (01/09/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - An audit released Wednesday indicates that Missouri's unemployment fund could be insolvent as of 2003.

    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.

  • Get the newspaper story.
    . Columbia legislators said education funding is a major issue this legislative session due to budget cuts. (01/09/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Columbia legislators agreed Wednesday that education funding in the face of budget cuts is the main concern in the 2002 legislative session.

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

  • Get the newspaper story.
    . Claire McCaskill announces for another term. (01/07/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - State Auditor Claire McCaskill announced she will seek re-election as Missouri State Auditor.

    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.


    . Missouri's House Speaker predicts a tough legislative session. (01/07/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - "I think we're going to have one heck of a storm this year," said House Speaker Jim Kreider in describing expectations for the session that begins on Wednesday.

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


    . The Senate Transportation Committee chairman is preparing a highway tax increase plan. (01/07/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Sen. Morris Westfall, R-Halfway, says his plan would include a sales tax increase between one-quarter of a penny to half-a-penny on the dollar to boost funding for highways. The proposal would be subject to statewide voter approval.

    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.


    . Three major state government departures are announced in the first week of the new year. (01/07/02)
    JEFFERSON CITY - The three announcing resignations are the state Health Department Director, a state Supreme Court judge and the administrator of the Missouri Senate.

    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.