JEFFERSON CITY - Two union leaders accuse Gov. Bob Holden and his chief of staff of sitting by Wednesday while one of Rep. Richard Gepahrd's senior campaign advisers threatened political retribution if the unions did not stop campaigning for Democratic presidential rival Howard Dean.

Gerald McEntee and Andrew Stern, presidents of the two largest AFL-CIO unions, claim that Gephard's campaign vice chair Joyce Aboussie threatened to get the state's collective bargaining order for state workers rescinded at a meeting in St. Louis. The union leaders say Holden and his chief of staff Janue Dueker were presented at the meeting and said nothing regarding Aboussie's threat.

JEFFERSON CITY - Henry Hungerbeeler announced his resignation from his position Tuesday. In his resignation letter, he cites the Blue Ribbon Panel's calling for reorganization of senior management at MoDOT.

Gov. Bob Holden says the change in MoDOT leadership is a move in the right direction. But several legislators are supportive of the service Hungerbeeler provided during the past five years.

Sen.Wayne Goode said he has worked with quite a few Transportation directors and Hungerbeeler is one of the best.

MoDOT plans to hire a search firm that will held find candidates to replace Hungerbeeler after June 1.

JEFFERSON CITY - For school districts trying to get state money withheld from education, it's now a waiting game.

Lawyers for the state and for a group of school districts argued before the state's high court over the governor's constitutional powers to withhold state funds from local schools in times of tight budgets.

JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Bob Holden announced Tuesday that he will release $83 million to education. The state received $83 million dollars in federal aid earlier than expected. Now, the governor will take state funds earmarked for Medicaid and move them over to education. The federal aid will be used to help Medicaid.

JEFFERSON CITY - MoDOT chief Henry Hungerbeeler announced Tuesday he plans to resign effective next June. Hungerbeeler, and the agency he heads, have been under fire for breaking promises to the public while Missouri roads deteriorated.

Hungerbeeler's resignation was submitted to the Highways Commission. His decision comes after an outside task force had recommended changes in the department's top management.

JEFFERSON CITY - If passed in both houses, Senate resolution proposed by Rolla Republican Sen. Sarah Steelman would allow Missouri voters to decide whether or not to change State Constitution to ban gay marriages.

JEFFERSON CITY - This proposal if passed could put toll ways on I-70, I-44 and some bridges. Rep. Jeff Harris, who is sponsoring the bill, says that toll roads are needed to create better roads for the Missourians who use them.

JEFFERSON CITY - The Taxpayer's Research Institute of Missouri and Associated Industries says that gambling is good for the economy.

Some say that the legislature must maintain the cap on losses at casinos.

Others want to abolish the limit altogether.

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JEFFERSON CITY - A legal battle over withholdings to K-12 education that began in July makes its way to the highest court in the state Wednesday.

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JEFFERSON CITY - Monday marked the beginning of Missouri's House and Senate prefiling bills for the January legislative session. Many are retreads of old issues while some new bills will be going to committee for the first time.

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JEFFERSON CITY - A bill filed Monday would protect 300,000 Missourians living in mobile homes from short-notice evictions and would help them form associations. Sen. Maida Coleman (D-St. Louis) and Rep. Mike Sutherland (R-Warrenton) both support the bill.

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