JEFFERSON CITY - The House overwhelmingly approved a bill that would require insurance companies cover mental illness, including drug abuse and alcoholism. Opponents argued the bill will drive up the cost of insurance for small businesses.

Supporters of the bill say the benefits of offering the coverage offset the relatively small cost. The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration.

JEFFERSON CITY - The House Budget Committee directed highway funds from the state treasurer's office and Natural Resources Department to the Transportation Department in a vote late Monday night. Currently, the treasurer's office uses this money to fund almost 25 percent of its entire budget for staff salaries and benefits.

Deputy State Treasurer Chuck Miller said the treasurer's office has been trying to have the highway funds they receive replaced by general revenue money for many years, but the committee did not add any general revenue funds to the office's budget.

JEFFERSON CITY - By a 4-3 decision, Missouri's Surpeme Court over-turned a lower court decision that had stripped the natural mother of parental rights of twins that had been place up for adoption over Internet.

The case, which involved adoptive parents in England had gained international attention.

JEFFERSON CITY - Lawmakers fear cell phones make vote buying easier. The bill would restrict voters from using a cell phone once they have received a ballot.

JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri House Communications Committee heard testimony today to ban the state government and restrict private businesses from using foreign call centers. Legislators argued the practice takes jobs away from Missouri citizens and callers have a right to know who they're talking to on the phone. The committee did not take further action on the bill.

JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Laborers' Union has endorsed Democratic State Auditor Claire McCaskill for governor. She will challenge the incumbent governor Bob Holden in the August primary. Holden has the support of one of the state's other large unions, the AFL-CIO. A spokesman for the AFL-CIO said Holden has a track record that demonstrates he's a friend to labor. Representatives from the Laborers' Union said McCaskill is more likely to win in November than Holden.

JEFFERSON CITY - A multi-hundred million dollar bond bill to fund construction of scientific resesearch-related buildings throughout the state was almost doubled in size Monday night by the Senate Appropriation Committee, which approved the bond issue.

The measure now totals $350 million in bonds to be paid off by the state during 25 years.