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February 2004 Stories

• 2/27/2004: News summary for the week of February 23, 2004
• 2/26/2004: Newspaper Story - Columbia legislators voiced disappointment over the state Supreme Court's ruling Thursday that would allow Missourians to carry concealed weapons.
• 2/26/2004: Radio Story - Governor Bob Holden vetoes legislation that would have blocked his order requiring all state workers to pay union dues, opening the way for his order to take effect, but Secretary of State Matt Blunt says he will block the order.
• 2/26/2004: Radio Story - State legislators want to lower the default speed limits in certain rural counties of Missouri from 60 mph to 50 mph.
• 2/26/2004: Radio Story - The Missouri Supreme Court overturned the St. Louis Circuit Court decision, making it legal to carry a concealed weapon.
• 2/26/2004: Radio Story - State legislators withdrew an amendment Thursday after being unable to agree on whether or not cell phone companies should be mandated to charge a 911 Emergecy tax or to consider it a cost of business.
• 2/25/2004: Newspaper Story - Any public governmental meeting conducted through electronic communication--conference call, video conference, internet chat or internet message board--would now have to be made accessible to the public under a new bill proposed by Rep. Jeff Harris, D-Columbia.
• 2/25/2004: Radio Story - The senate granted preliminary approval to a bill that bans advertising for adult businesses within one mile of state highways.
• 2/25/2004: Radio Story - The senate give preliminary approval to a bill banning adertising for adult businesses within one mile of state highways.
• 2/25/2004: Radio Story - Matt Johnson tells us how the company will help better insure doctors in malpractice suits.
• 2/25/2004: Radio Story - The Missouri Insurance Company Act will help better insure doctors in malpractice suits. Matt Johnson tells how support is growing.
• 2/25/2004: Radio Story - More than sixty people gathered in the Rotunda to show their support of the second ammendment. Maida Coleman says that the right to carry has a greater implication than in others.
• 2/25/2004: Radio Story - Although the state legislature isn't currently debating the right to carry guns, the issue is still receiving attention in the state capital building. Many representatives from the second ammendment coalition of Missouri were on hand. They stressed that there's more issues involved in the second ammendment than simply the right to carry.
• 2/25/2004: Radio Story - About sixty people showed up in the state capital's rotunda today to show their support of the second ammendment. This year's rally was smaller this year because the conceal and carry issue has been decided by the legislature and is now in the hands of the courts.
• 2/25/2004: Newspaper Story - State lawmakers are a step closer to taking sex off Missouri's roadsides. A Senate ban on adult billboards cleared for final passage Wednesday.
• 2/24/2004: Radio Story - Though some state legislators are proposing legislation to authorize toll roads, Sen. Jon Dolan, among other lawmakers, sees no need for them.
• 2/24/2004: Radio Story - The Missouri Senat gave final approval to a tax credit accountability bill that aims to reduce tax fraud.
• 2/24/2004: Radio Story - Sen. Jon Dolan of St. Charles County wants to stop spending highway dollars on general state business. Dolan says the spending of highway dollars should be limited to highway expenses.
• 2/24/2004: Radio Story - Governor Holden and State Auditor Claire McCaskill officially filed for candidacy, and that means there will be a primary fight inside the Democratic party. Holden says a a challenge for the governor's seat during the August primary is okay one they stand untited on the issues. McCaskill says she wants to debate Holden so that voters can learn more about both candidates.
• 2/24/2004: Radio Story - The Senate gave preliminary passage of a constitutional ban on gay marraige.
• 2/24/2004: Radio Story - A bill to ban adult entertainment advertisements on Missouri highways moves through the House of Representatives.
• 2/23/2004: Newspaper Story - State lawmakers didn't have to wait until Wednesday for the premiere of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ." Over 100 members of the legislature saw an advance screening of the film Monday night at Jefferson City's Captial 8 Theatre.
• 2/23/2004: Radio Story - A proposal to make it easier to get tax credit when saving for college is under Democratic scrutiny. Right now, only one mutual fund broker can offer tax credit, but the proposed bill would expand the credit to local banks and broker firms. House Democrat Ken Jacobs says the program was intended for low-income families, and expanding it would cost the state too much.
• 2/23/2004: Newspaper Story - State education officials said Wednesday they feared that local school board choices would impact Missouri's compliance with the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which determines how much federal aid Missouri receives.
• 2/23/2004: Newspaper Story - Same-sex couples cannot file joint tax returns in Missouri, according to the Department of Revenue. The Internal Revenue Service only allows same-sex couples to file jointly if the state where they live recognizes gay marriages.
• 2/23/2004: Newspaper Story - As Missouri candidate filing opens Tuesday, some state representatives have decided they won't run again in the House. Term limits will force 15 representatives out of the House. Others will leave by their own choice.
• 2/23/2004: Newspaper Story - To address the issue of statewide child abuse and ways to prevent it, the Missouri Children's Services Commission may consider coordinating state and private services. In its monthly meeting Monday, the commission heard Lucia Erikson Kincheloe, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Missouri, explain how her organization can extend services and work together with the commission to tackle child abuse.
• 2/20/2004: News summary for the week of February 16, 2004
• 2/19/2004: Radio Story - Sen. Maida Coleman, a democrat from St. Louis City, may have personal reasons for sponsoring a bill expanding the definition of identity theft after her son becomes a victim of the crime.
• 2/19/2004: Radio Story - A new bill redefining Identity theft excludes some crimes many may consider to still be identity theft.
• 2/19/2004: Radio Story - The House is debating whether to issue bonds to bail out the state's bankrupt unemployment fund.
• 2/19/2004: Radio Story - Two Saint Louis lawmakers are sponsoring bills to create a trust fund that would help operate an archives center in Saint Louis City.
• 2/18/2004: Radio Story - Attorney General Ashcroft addressed the issue of terrorism to business professionals Wednesday.
• 2/18/2004: Radio Story - Missouri has a state flower, a state tree, and could soon have a state grass if legislation is passed.
• 2/18/2004: Newspaper Story - Rep. Jeff Harris, D-Columbia, and Rep. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, introduced an amendment to a House education appropriations bill that would move all state funding for the MAP tests to Missouri's state aid distribution formula. That would allow individual school districts the option of how -- or whether -- to finance the administratin of the exams.
• 2/18/2004: Radio Story - A bill moved into the House that would make the Hadrosaurus the official Missouri state dinosaur.
• 2/18/2004: Newspaper Story - A bill providing comprehensive services for mentally ill children was passed by the House Health Committee Wednesday. Parents would no more have to relinquish custody of their child to avail the health services.
• 2/18/2004: Newspaper Story - U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft returned to the state capital for the first time since he joined the Bush administration.
• 2/18/2004: Radio Story - A House committee hearing will be held on a bill that would prohibit state funding of health and social services programs that subsidize abortions
• 2/17/2004: Radio Story - Missouri's Senate votes to lower the standards for students to pass the MAP test.
• 2/17/2004: Newspaper Story - Monday's rally for more public school money was met Tuesday by a House appropriations bill that would effectively hold steady state aid distribution to public schools.
• 2/17/2004: Newspaper Story - Just Pacheco, mother of seven-year-old Augustine and five-year-old Wayne, both with a hearing loss, testified in favor of a bill aimed at providing insurance coverage for hearing aids to children up to age 19.
• 2/17/2004: Radio Story - House Speaker Catherine Hanaway has sponsored another bill to change the foster care system because Governor Holden vetoed a similar one last year.
• 2/17/2004: Radio Story - A Missouri Senate committee was urged to block lawsuits blaming food makers for making one fat.
• 2/17/2004: Radio Story - Lawmakers presented a bill that would eliminate sexual billboards from the highway.
• 2/17/2004: Radio Story - Abortion rights advocates unveil a legislative "Wall of Shame."
• 2/16/2004: Radio Story - More than 2,000 educators, parents, and students gathered outside the state capitol with one message, they need more money. Lawmakers listened to their requests, and students got to see the legislative process firsthand.
• 2/16/2004: Newspaper Story - Though unschooled in the detailed art of school finance -- many didn't know what the Foundation Formula was, or how much money was being thrown around -- the roughly 2,000 young protesters chanting "Save our Schools!" on the steps of Missouri's Captiol were quite clear on what was at stake: their educations.
• 2/16/2004: Radio Story - Governor Bob Holden told state superintendents he still won't release withheld money for public education.
• 2/16/2004: Radio Story - Roughyl 2,000 teachers, administrators, school board members, parents and students gathered at the state capitol to rally the governor and legislators to increase funding for education.
• 2/16/2004: An audit relased by Missouri State Auditor Claire McCaskill shows that more than 90 percent of tax credits meant to help with the adoption of Missouri children, funded mostly international adoptions instead.
• 2/13/2004: News summary for the week of February 9, 2004
• 2/13/2004: Newspaper Story - A House bill would exempt vehicles made in Missouri from state sales tax. Individual cities could decide to exempt Missouri-made vehicles from local sales tax as well. The bill's supporters said this would likely increase sales of Missouri-made vehicles and encourage other manufacturers to open plants in the state.
• 2/12/2004: Newspaper Story - The Joint Committee on Education Funding approved a new philosophy of delivering state aid based on "student need." The current system provides money based on local tax wealth.
• 2/12/2004: Radio Story - Republican House Speaker Catherine Hanaway announced a proposal to limit administrative spending to ten percent of a school's budget.
• 2/12/2004: Radio Story - Supporters assure that the bill regulating church-run daycares will not be an attempt to shut them down but to raise safety standards for Missouri's children.
• 2/12/2004: Radio Story - Lawmakers are hearing a bill that will prohibit sexually oriented billboards from advertising on Missouri highways.
• 2/11/2004: Newspaper Story - Women would be prohibited from wearing veils for Missouri driver's license photos under a measure approved by the state Senate Wednesday. The bill would require all Missouri driver's license applicants to have their photograph taken. Currently applicants may abstain for religious reasons.
• 2/11/2004: Radio Story - The House of Representatives voted down a bill that would have changed the name of Southwest Missouri State University.
• 2/11/2004: Radio Story - The House voted down a bill that would change the name of SMSU to Missouri State University.
• 2/11/2004: Radio Story - Officials hope to conclude talks between the University of Missouri System and Northwest Missouri State University this week. Matt Johnson tells us how the proposed the merger would be int the hands of state legislators.
• 2/11/2004: Radio Story - Officials from the University of Missouri System and Northwest Missouri State University will be discussing a possible merger Friday. If talks conclude, the passing of the merger will be in the hands of state lawmakers to decide.
• 2/11/2004: Radio Story - The Missouri Legislature has final say over a proposed merger between the UM System and Northwest Missouri State University.
• 2/11/2004: Radio Story - The House voted down a bill that would change the name of Southwest Missouri State University.
• 2/11/2004: Newspaper Story - Missouri's House Judiciary Committee sent a measure to the House that would restrict liability lawsuit awards. This is similar to the measure vetoed by the governor last year.
• 2/10/2004: Radio Story - School districts without built-in snow days could have a tough time meeting the state's minimum number of days in school, 174.
• 2/10/2004: Radio Story - The fight over Southwest Missouri State University's name change moves over to the the house today, but the fate of the change is still in question.
• 2/10/2004: Radio Story - Plan would charge more for filing lawsuits and accessing public documents.
• 2/10/2004: Radio Story - Amtrak's request for almost $900,000 dies in a House Committee hearing. A spokesperson says the company's optimistic that an agreement will be reached. State Transportation officials say, however, that they may have to cut one of the two trains by the end of the month if they don't get the money.
• 2/10/2004: Radio Story - The House Budget Committee rejects appropriating money to keep two Amtrak trains running through Missouri.
• 2/ 9/2004: Radio Story - Special interim committee to propose plans for implementing early voting law.
• 2/ 9/2004: Newspaper Story - Labor union support in Missouri's governor's race is doing what it did in the presidential primaries--it's getting pulled apart.
• 2/ 9/2004: Radio Story - The Missouri Senate plans to hear a bill for the second time today that will allow people to keep more property when they declare bankruptcy. The bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Charlie Shields, will exempt personal property like wedding rings that are worth less than $1,500.
• 2/ 9/2004: Newspaper Story - Another month of unexpectedly high revenue collections leads to another round of Republican criticism that Gov. Bob Holden should release education withholdings.
• 2/ 9/2004: Newspaper Story - Mobile home residents lobby legislators on two bills they say will give them more rights. Park owners and realtors oppose one of the bills, while all agree that landlords should give more notice if a park is closing.
• 2/ 9/2004: Radio Story - House Budget Committee chair Carl Bearden says Governor Bob Holden should release education witholdings even if the money would harm the chances for funding-levies on an April ballot. Bearden says schools probably will not see money from the state until May.
• 2/ 5/2004: News summary for the week of February 2, 2004
• 2/ 4/2004: Radio Story - Less than 15 percent of registered Missourians voted in yesterday's Presidential primary.
• 2/ 4/2004: Newspaper Story - The bill proposes the same kind of coverage for both mental and physical illnesses.
• 2/ 4/2004: Radio Story - State legislators reacted this week to the Massachusetts supreme Court ruling on gay marriage.
• 2/ 4/2004: Newspaper Story - Massachusetts high court's ruling Wednesday reaffirming same-sex couples' right to marry has has fired up debate among Missouri's lawmakers.
• 2/ 4/2004: Radio Story - Missouri legislators reacted this week to the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage.
• 2/ 4/2004: Newspaper Story - All convicted felons in Missouri would have DNA tests on file under a proposal discussed in the Missouri Senate Wednesday. The bill would also compensate individuals cleared of a crime because of DNA evidence and released from prison.
• 2/ 3/2004: Radio Story - Rep. Brian Baker, a Kansas City Republican, plans to file a bill calling for a student UM Board member with voting privliges.
• 2/ 3/2004: Radio Story - Lawmakers are moving to prohibit strip searches in Missouri schools.
• 2/ 3/2004: Radio Story - State Senator Mary Bland says the process of voting may be the most valuable part of Missouri's third ever primary election.
• 2/ 3/2004: Radio Story - Senator Mary Bland says the effort to encourage voter participation hasn't been there from Dick Gephardt.
• 2/ 3/2004: Radio Story - State rep. Larry Crawford, California, sponsors transportation bill to restrict veils on license photos.
• 2/ 3/2004: Radio Story - Sen. Ken Jacob continues to fillibuster over proposed SMSU name change.
• 2/ 2/2004: Radio Story - The Missouri Senate filibuster over changing the name of Southwest Missouri State University has entered its second week.
• 2/ 2/2004: Newspaper Story - The University of Missouri's new policy prohibiting sexual-orientation discrimination would be effectively outlawed under a measure before Missouri's legislature.
• 2/ 2/2004: Newspaper Story - Republican lawmakers present plans to create an agency to advocate small business interests.