JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Matt Blunt delivered the State of the State address to the Missouri House Tuesday night and proposed slashing the budget by $1.1 billion. The cuts include the elimination of 1,194 state jobs, the privatization of state services and the end of Medicaid coverage for "thousands" of Missourians.

Blunt also proposed boosting public education funding by $171 million.

JEFFERSON CITY - Blunt's proposed 2006 budget made a large increase to elementary and secondary schools.

No extra funding was given to the higher education budget.

JEFFERSON CITY - A bill that narrows the definition of Missouri workers' compensation is one step closer to law.

A senate committee voted six to three to send the bill to the floor.

JEFFERSON CITY - A new state law requiring all incarcerated felons to subit a DNA sample took effect less than a month ago, however, the bill's sponsor is already boasting success.

JEFFERSON CITY - The new bill would require pharmacists to record all purchases of products containing pseudophedrine, which is one of the primary ingredients in methamphetamine production.

The first hearing regarding these bills was heard in judiciary committee hearings on Monday.

JEFFERSON CITY - Traditionally, the State of the State address has been held in the morning.

And while Gov. Matt Blunt says a later time was chosen to give Missourians a chance to hear the speech, Democratic lawmakers are saying Blunt has other reason behind the timing.

JEFFERSON CITY - The House has been in session since January 5th, but bills are just now being assigned to committees. Assigning a bill to a committee is the first step towards approving a proposed bill.

Minority Whip Connie Johnson says of the 58 bills the minority caucus have proposed, only 2 bills have been assigned to committees. Johnson says that every Majority caucus bill has already been assigned to a committee.

Assistant Majority Floor Leader John Goodman says that the committee bill assignment.

JEFFERSON CITY - The Senate Education Committee voted to pass a bill to change SMSU's name to Missouri State University.

Sen. Graham said he would filibuster the bill to stop it from passing. Neal English said the bill's supporters will avoid a move to close the debate and force the senate to vote.

JEFFERSON CITY - Doyle Childers a 22-year General Assembly veteran was tapped to lead the Department of Natural Resources on Tuesday.

Childers is known for his moderate leanings and environmental groups are statisified but do not expect major changes.

JEFFERSON CITY - The Senate introduced a bill that would lower insurance premiums for medical malpractice.

The act would provide relief for physicians facing growing malpractice premium rates.

JEFFERSON CITY - State Democrats proposed a bill to lower malpractice premiums through increased insurance regulation.

Republicans state the plan could drive insurance companies from Missouri, and plan to propose a bill of their own.

JEFFERSON CITY - Matt Blunt's choice to head Missouri's environmental protection efforts has won "cautious optimism" and even some praise from the Sierra Club. Doyle Childers, a state senator from Southwest Missouri forced out of office by term limits, has compiled a record as one of the most moderate members of the General Assembly and has a history of working on water quality issues.

Sierra Club State Director Carla Klein says the DNR has always been too pro business in it's approach to handling environment.

JEFFERSON CITY - Republicans brought up the idea of naming the new bridge after Reagan at a senate hearing.

The state has not started construction on the bridge.

JEFFERSON CITY - In late 2000 or early 2001, the state purchased nearly $2 million in computer equipment, but a state audit conducted in 2002 did not mention any of the purchases.

This was all part of a Department of Revenue system called the Filed Automated System for Titling and Registration of FAST for automated licensing, titling and registration of vehicles.

Revenue developed but never fully implemented the system in 1995.

Newly appointed Director of Revenue Trish Vincent is now working to implement the system by June of this year.

State Auditor Claire McCaskill did not reutn calls regarding why she brought this "discovery" to light more than four years since the purchase... though, in a letter, she says it was because of a public tip.

JEFFERSON CITY - Members of the senate committee listened to law enforcement officers talk about the need to reduce the availability of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the illegal drug methamphetamine.

Two senate Republicans are sponsoring bills that would make cold medicines like Sudafed available exclusively from pharmacists.

JEFFERSON CITY - Democratic legislators are supporting a new law that will prevent minors from buying violent or sexually explicit video games.

House Democrats also want to pass a bill to charge meth producers with child endangerment if the drugs are produced in the home when a child is there.

JEFFERSON CITY - Governor Matt Blunt announced a ban on all violent and non-violent video games in Missouri state prisons. The executive order is effective immediately.

Governor Blunt says he does not want Missouri taxpayers to pay for determining which video games are violent and non-violent. Blunt says inmates should be punished not rewarded for their wrongs against society.

JEFFERSON CITY - A proposed bill sponsored by Rep. Susan Phillips (R-Kansas City) aims to have the North American Bullfrog become the official state amphibian.

The animal would become one of the many state animals of Missouri; including the mule, the paddlefish, and the channel catfish.

JEFFERSON CITY - Governor Matt Blunt said today that he is not ruling out any state organization when it comes to reorganization.

Blunt said he is forming a government review commission to look at efficiency in state organizations.

The commission marks the first time in 30 years that state government will be fully examined for restructuring.

Blunt said he will not rule out elimination of MU's Board of Curators or combining the Missouri Department of Conservation with the Department of Natural Resources.

JEFFERSON CITY - Governor Blunt announced today the creation of a commision in charge of state government organization. The commitee will be co-chaired by Warren Erdman and Stephen Bradford. Eighteen members are yet to be announced. Blunt also answered questions relating to stem cell research and restriction of all video games to inmates in state correctional facilities.

In a democratic press conference, Rep. Jeff Harris announced the bill Rated "P" For Parents, which will help parents limit child expo.