The plan would give money to Kansas City, Springfield and Branson, but lawmakers from those cities still say they cannot vote for the bill in its current form.

The Missouri Senate is expected to debate next week a proposal sponsored by Sen. Ken Jacob, D-Columbia, that would sell about a quarter of the state's share of payments from a settlement with tobacco companies in exchange for a lump sum of roughly $500 million. That money could then be used to avert cuts in state programs over the next two years.

Gov. Bob Holden said he supports the proposal, joining senators from both parties, although House leaders were initially cool to the idea.

The university will spend money from the lease to build a performing arts center.

The plan would require statewide voter approval if it clears the legislature. It is substantially smaller than the transportation package the governor had proposed last year.

Conceal and carry legislation has been introduced in both the House and Senate, but has yet to come to the floor of either chamber. Members of the General Assembly indicate the legislation could come up for debate and vote as early as next week.

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Juanita Walton, D-St. Louis County, would require local school districts to establish written policies prohibiting bullying.

The measure would require actual physcial inspection for a reassessment and put the burden of proof on the assessor for boosting a residential assessment.

The Senate rejected an effort to include in the bill a freeze on the assessed value of homes of the elderly.

During the hearing Paul Redfearn, president of SMSU's board of governors, faced intense questioning from Sen. Ken Jacob, D-Columbia about the makeup of the board and issues relating to the school's athletic programs.

Blunt, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, had been called up to active duty in October. He served at a U.S. base in the United Kingdom.

If the bill is passed, establishments wishing to take advantage of the increase in closing time from 1:30 to 3:00 a.m. may apply to the Supervisor of Liquor Control.

The bill is currently on the informal calendar with amendments pending.

Lower courts had held the state's position violated free speech rights.

The state attorney general said he was considering legislation to strengthen the state's powers to restrict offensive language on personalized license plates.

The conference sponsored by the National Conference on State Legislators will be held in late July -- less than six months before the five Missouri lawmakers will be leaving office.

The term-limited legislators AP reports plan to attend the conference are Sen. Danny Stapes, Sen. Morris Westfall, Sen. Betty Sims, Rep. Bill Boucher and Rep. David Reynolds.

Wiggins tearfully referred to how this was his last legislative session due to term limits and his last chance to represent the needs of Missourians.

The bill is currently in the Senate.

Governor Holden had no stance to take on the bill Tuesday afternoon, Hispanic Legislative Day.

The student will either serve a two-year term or as long as they are a full-time student.

Esther Haywood of St. Louis County sponsored the bill that allows burning a place of worship to receive a Class-B felony charge.

Class-B felonies may be jailed up to 10 years.

Women decided to wear hats on tax day because they wanted to have a little fun before the end of the legislature.

The current measure is sponsored by Sen. Mary Bland, D-Kansas City, who has sponsored similar measures since 2000.