JEFFERSON CITY - Last September, UM system president Elson Floyd added a new system-level position that Stephen Knorr was asked to fill. Previously, Knorr's focus was on lobbying the federal government in Washington, D.C. Now, in his current $95,900 per year job, he oversees all UM system lobbying efforts -- federal and state.

JEFFERSON CITY - Sen. President Pro Tem Peter Kinder official delared dead Wednesday the Republican leadership's plan for a statewide bond issue for higher education.

Kinder blaimed filibusters by the Senate's Democratic floor leader. It also ran into opposition as various new projects were added -- raising the total size to more than $370 million.

Wednesday was the last day for the Senate to get the measure sent to the House for it to remain alive in the closing days of the legislative session.

JEFFERSON CITY - Bob Holden sent the letter on Tuesday, complaining of a report that Missouri soliders were being used to drive private contractors working in Irag.

"If true," Holden wrote the president, "I most strenuously object to this wrongful use of U.S. Army personnel in this manner."

Holden's letter relates to the 1221 Transportation Company -- a mid-Missouri National Guard unit deployed to Iraq more than one year ago.

JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's Senate agreed to the draft a revised version late Tuesday night after agreement was reached with the governor on a key issue of contention -- privatization of child-care services.

Gov. Bob Holden had said the requiring the state to turn over some child care cases to private organizations was one of the reasons he vetoed the bill last year.

The revised version softens the requirement, removing any reference to a minimum percentage of cases that would have to be privatized.

JEFFERSON CITY - Opponents say DNA profiling is wrong and every person deserves respect and protection, even criminals. Supporters say the bill could lead to additional convictions in unsolved crimes. The bill also has an amendment to provide monetary compensation for inmates who are later found to be innocent.

JEFFERSON CITY - Supporters of the bill say the state's Water Patrol is too limited by a jurisdiction that only extends 600 feet beyond waterway shorelines. The bill would allow it to make arrests anywhere in the state.

JEFFERSON CITY - State Senators offered amendments to a bill what would give funding to Jobs Now, a program aimed at creating jobs in Missouri. Amendments proposed by Senators like Sarah Steelman extended the scope of funding possibilities beyond direct workforce contributions to such areas like endowed research chairs for higher education. Steelman's proposal was crushed, and the bill was laid over for further consideration.

JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's legislature enters its final week with key GOP issues held hostage by Senate filibusters.

Issues ranging from a crackdown on welfare, a higher education bond issue and unemployment compensation restrictions have been blocked by Senate Democratic filibusters.

And the Senate Democratic leader has indicated he has no intention of abandoning his tactics, despite private criticism from within his own party.

So far, Senate Republicans have voted only once this year to shut off a Democratic filibuster -- to pass the liability lawsuit limits bill the governor subsequently vetoed.

Meanwhile Gov. Bob Holden has been noticably absent from legislative hallways -- during a period when governors normally engage in the final, intense negotiations to forge compromises.