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NewsBook: Missouri Government News for Week of April 21, 2003

 
. Missouri's Senate rejects a tax increase on tobacco. (04/25/03)
JEFFERSON CITY - By a straight party-line vote, Missouri's Senate rejected a proposal from the Senate Democratic floor leader to raise taxes on tobacco and Missouri businesses.

The Senate then took up a Republican plan that includes a number of smaller revenue-enhancements and tax increases -- including taxes on pornography and illegal drugs.

The Senate adjourned for the weekend after debate on that planned stalled after questions were raised about the legality of the proposal.

. The Norton grape is headed to becomming Missouri's official grape. (04/24/03)
JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's House passed and sent to the governor a bill to the Norton grape the state's official state grape.

The measure had passed the Senate earlier this year.

. Worker's compensation restrictions stalls in Missouri's Senate (04/25/03)
JEFFERSON CITY - Debate stalled in Missouri's Senate on a measure to restrict coverage of the workers' compensation program that covers workers injured on the job.

Republican supporters argue rising workers' compensation insurance costs are driving businesses out of the state. But Democrats argue it's wrong to deny coverage for injured workers.

  • Get the newspaper feature.
    . UM merger with Northwest put on hold until next session (04/24/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - University of Missouri officials say they will wait until next year before seeking legislative approval for a merger with Northwest Missouri State University. With only three weeks left in the legislative session, UM Spokesman Joe Moore said it became obvious that lawmakers would be consumed with solving the budget shortfall.

    Get the newspaper story

    . Immigrants face problems getting drivers' licenses in Missouri (04/24/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Though they may have valid drivers' licenses from other states, illegal immigrants aren't able to obtain Missouri licenses.

    Get the newspaper story

    . Senate continues to defy Holden's veto threat, approves further cuts to state agencies (04/23/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - By nearly 2-1 margins the Senate passed steep funding cuts to Missouri's colleges, prison system, mental health care, and social services, just two days after Gov. Bob Holden vowed to veto such cuts.


    Get the newspaper story.

    . Health care for low-income women in jeopardy (04/23/2003)
    JEFFERSON CITY - The senate approved the elimination of funding for a health care program that serves low income women.

    Senator Joan Bray (D-St. Louis) called the move "mean and cynical."

    . Senator Dougherty fights to keep foster care program (04/23/2003)
    JEFFERSON CITY - During floor debates on the budget, Senator Pat Dougherty (D-St. Louis) fought for funding to save a program that helps kids coming out of foster care.

    Get the radio story.

    . Senate approves cuts to Higher Ed (02/03/2003)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Republican senators defended the budget, saying it was the best they could do without going to the people with a tax increase.

    Get the radio story.

    Get the newspaper story.

    . House gives initial approval to stop state funding for programs connected to abortion services (04/23/03)

    JEFFERSON CITY - A day after Gov. Bob Holden announced he would block any legislation that would interfere with a woman's right to get an abortion, the Missouri House gave initial approval to a bill that would stop state funding for programs that have a direct or indirect connection to abortion services.

    Get the newspaper story.

    . Missouri's Supreme Court overturns the death sentence of a convicted killer. (04/22/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Spared from execution, at least temporarily, is a man convicted of killing three people at a Columbia convenience store in 1994.

    The court held that the jury for Ernest Johnson was not presented evidence that he might have been mentally retarded. Missouri prohibits executing the retarded.

    The prosecutor can resubmit the death penalty proposal to a jury.

    . Missouri's House speaker pro tem to investigate (04/22/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - The House speaker pro tem says he plans to investigate an MU professor who offered students course credit for protesting a conservative speaker.

    Rep. Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, says he was approached by students who were concerned about voicing their conservative views in classes with leftist professors.

  • Get the package of radio stories.
    . Senate starts budget debate (04/22/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - State funding for local schools would be cut by more than $200 million under an education budget plan approved by the Missouri Senate Tuesday night.

    The Senate's Democratic leader argued the Senate first should take up tax-increase bills to raise more revenue for the budget.

    But his arguements and the governor's earlier promise to veto the Senate's version of the budget had no effect on Republicans who moved forward with their plan to pass a spending measure before addressing revenue issues. Even a couple of Senate Democrats voted for portions of the GOP budget plan.

  • Get the newspaper story.
  • Get the Senate roll call on the education budget.
  • Get the budget table showing different versions of the budget.
    . Abortion-rights advocates raise their voices in the Pro-Choice Lobby Day (04/22/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - More than 100 abortion-rights advocates from across Missouri gathered in the Pro-Choice Lobby Day in Missouri's statehouse today.

    Eight different bills seeking to restrict abortions have been proposed this year, in a more conservative and Republican-controlled legislature. The event was sponsored by Planned Parenthood affiliates in Missouri and Missouri NARAL, state affiliate of NARAL Pro-Choice America.

  • Get the newspaper story.
    . Governor vows to veto Senate budget bill (04/21/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Under the cloud of a budget-veto threat not heard in Missouri's capitol in decades, the Senate is scheduled to begin debate today on the state's operating budget.

    On the eve of the Senate debate, Gov. Bob Holden promised he would veto the Senate version of the budget. Holden has been pushing for a much larger budget that would be financed by a package of tax increases exceeding $700 million.

  • Get the newspaper story