JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Senate came to what one senior member called the "edge of chaos" Thursday as the Democratic floor leader and the lieutenant governor created a two-hour block on a Republican attempt to end a Democratic filibuster on a liability lawsuit bill.

At issue was a Republican motion to move the previous question, which was countered by a substitute motion made by Sen. Ken Jacob.

JEFFERSON CITY - Republican Rep. Kevin Engler, the bill's sponsor, says he is confident the language of his proposal will be accepted by the Senate.

If the bill is approved, Engler says he hopes Missouri citizens will get to decide on the amendment in the November elections, when the largest number of voters will be at the polls.

Opponents of the bill say the current state law banning gay marriages is sufficient and a constitutional amendment goes too far and is demeaning.

JEFFERSON CITY - With Republican senators out of the chamber during floor debate Wednesday, four Democrats snatched control and adjourned for the day to prevent debate on a bill to limit liability lawsuit awards.

The move angered Republicans -- and some Democrats -- who said it violated Senate customs and traditions.

JEFFERSON CITY - The proposal heard debate in the house today (Wednesday). It makes it a class A misdemeanor to injure the dogs or prevent them from potentially saving someone's life. Opponents say the punishment goes too far and should also include other animals.

JEFFERSON CITY - Secretary of State Matt Blunt met with a group of Jefferson City business owners to discuss his plan to create jobs in Missouri. Blunt said he wanted to repeal the Missouri franchise tax, which only applies to businesses with at least $1,000,000 in assets within the state.

JEFFERSON CITY - Senator Jon Dolan, R-St. Charles County, says 600 people detained by th U.S. government at the Naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, deserve a legal review of their cases. Dolan, a Major in the National Guard, spent more than three months at the base. The detainees have been held incomunicado without access to courts or lawyers, some for as long as two years. The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday, and is expected to decide by June if the detainees are allowed legal review of their cases.

JEFFERSON CITY - The legislation would put a cap on pain and suffering awards one-hundred thousand dollars less than it is right now.

Democrats call it a ploy to increase profits for insurance companies, while Republicans say the bill would help doctors by decreasing insurance premiums on malpractice policies.

JEFFERSON CITY - Rod Paige addressed Monday an audience of between 200 and 300 people at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Mo. Paige, and a panel of five other education experts had a town hall meeting -- including two superintendents and a representative from Missouri State Teachers Association -- which focused on recent changes to No Child Left Behind education law.

JEFFERSON CITY - This Missouri State Senate worked to perfect a bill to better higher education in Missouri. If passed, the bill would authorize a $350 million bond for construction and renovation at Missouri higher education facilities.