. | Missouri's House is scheduled to begin work on one of the leanest budget in decades. (03/01/02) |
The House is expected to take up the emergency appropriations for the remainder of this fiscal year.
It will be the first of a series of budget bills presented to the House that will force lawmakers to decide for where to make major cuts in state programs.
For more information, see our package of stories on the state's budget crisis:
. | It was a bad week for Missouri's governor in the state legislature. (03/01/02) |
Two major parts of his budget plan were rejected in committee -- to sweep funds from unused special accounts and to remove the lost limit on casinos.
. | State agencies may face further withholdings (02/28/02) |
Budget Director Brian Long said the state would need to come up with the extra money after a House committee Tuesday rejected a plan to tap into unused money in state accounts.
The cuts would be on top of the $506 million already withheld by Gov. Bob Holden this fall and would have to be made before the end of the fiscal year in July.
Holden had proposed "sweeping" a portion of unspent money from hundreds of various state accounts to cover a drop in revenues, but the House Budget Committee rejected the plan Tuesday. This means the governor may be forced to cut further this year to maintain a balanced budget.
. | Tampering With Drugs Could Become A Crime (02/28/02) |
The Kansas City Republican who is behind the bill is backed by the committee's chairman, a Democrat.
. | Republican female senators criticize lack of women on rape bill conference committee (02/28/02) |
Klarich says the bill is simply dealing with a procedural, legal matter--and nothing in the bill is "gender-specific."
. | Lotto contractor to take in millions from Keno game (02/28/02) |
Rhode Island-based GTECH Corp. was automatically awarded the new game by the Missouri Lottery Commission, a move estimated to generate more than $2.7 million annually for the country's leading lottery contractor.
The day after Holden's State of the State address, the Lottery Commission approved the new game, giving the green light to GTECH to implement the system. As part of the company's contract with the state to maintain the state's regular lottery system, GTECH automatically is awarded work on any new online games.
Holden's push for the new game came six months after GTECH contributed $5,000 to help pay the debts of Holden's inaugural committee.
. | Tax Hike on Diesel Fuel Fails (02/27/02) |
State senators rejected a three-cent tax increase on diesel fuel as well as an increase in truck registration fees by nearly two-to-one margins.
. | Southwest Missouri State Seeks Name Change (02/27/02) |
The school wants to drop the "Southwest" from its name and become Missouri State University, but several groups are opposing the name change.
Get the newspaper story.
. | State Would Look for Cheaper Lawyers Under Bill (02/27/02) |
The bill provides for open, competitive bidding in state contracts for legal counsel that exceed $100,000 per year.
Get the newspaper story.
. | Cardinals and Governor Reach Stadium Agreement (02/26/02) |
. | Judi Moriarty Impeached in 1994, Running for State House in 2002 (02/26/02) |
Now, she's filing for herself - as a State Representative for the Pettis County District.
Moriarty says she's putting the past behind her, and looking ahead to the future.
. | House Speaker Opposed to Cards' Stadium (02/26/02) |
Gov. Bob Holden announced final plans for the latest stadium proposal Tuesday with top Republican leaders in the legislature behind him, but Democratic legislative leadership was conspicuously absent.
. | Kansas City Not to be Left Out of Stadium Spotlight (2/26/02) |
Rep. Dennis Bonner introduced the bill to help promote improved stadium facilities.
Kansas City leaders say that the stadium renovation will help arts and culture activities in the area as well.
The bill discussion came on the same day that Gov. Holden announced final details of a new Sports complex for the Cardinals in St. Louis.
. | Should Insurance Companies Cover the Costs of a Second Opinion? (02/26/02) |
Approximately 10 thousand people die per day in the United States because they are receiving the wrong treatment for the cancer they are battling.
So many new treatments are introduced every year that it is impossible for every doctor to know them all and employ their proper use.
. | Holden's Private Security Plan Rejected by House Budget Committee (02/26/02) |
Presently, security since Sept. 11 has been provided by a variety of government law enforcement including park rangers, liquor control agents and conservation agents. The administration argued those employees need to head back to their usual duties.
The Budget Committee also rejected the governor's idea to help balance the state's budget by using $30 million in unspent money in a variety of dedicated funds.
. | Business Groups File Petitition Proposals to Boost Taxes for Highways. (02/25/02) |
The groups filed three different tax plans with the Secretary of State for review before seeking signatures to put the issue on the statewide ballot.
. | Senate to Review House Version of Statute of Limitations on Rape and Sodomy Bill (02/25/02) |
Missouri lawmakers predicted that the state would remove the statute of limitations by mid-February, but that is not the case.
The House has added amendments to the original Senate bill and the Senate has yet to approve of the revised bill.
. | House Appropriations Committee Proposes Cuts Within Holden's Office (02/25/02) |
A new proposal would cut as much as 40 percent and layoff 10 full time employees in the Govenors office.
The governor's office says it is "disappointed" in the recommendation.