Missouri veteran won't eat until Senate funds veterans' homes
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Missouri veteran won't eat until Senate funds veterans' homes

Date: May 8, 2012
By: Cole Karr
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SB 498

Intro: 
A final vote awaits on a bill that would include solidifying funding for veteran's homes. Up to $30 million would be shifted within a casino entrance fee fund from early childhood education and put forward to veterans homes. While this awaits a vote in the Senate, one Missouri veteran is on a hunger strike.
RunTime:  0:46
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Stover resident and Persian Gulf War veteran Bill Fairbairn is on a hunger strike.

Actuality:  FAIRBRN1.WAV
Run Time:  00:03
Description: Today I've had one small protein shake and probably a gallon of water.

He says he will continue striking until the Senate passes the bill to allow $30 million to veteran's nursing homes.

Fairbairn says he's disappointed on the Senate's inaction and says veterans are watching.

Actuality:  FAIRBRN2.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: We're really hoping this year they get their act together and instead of pointing their fingers at each other that they know veterans vote and we point our fingers at them.

A Senate filibuster held up the bill late Monday with attempts to strike funding to organizations promoting political activities and direct $2 million to Southeast Missouri State University.

House leaders say they will not act on the state budget due May 11 until the Senate passes the bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Cole Karr.

Intro: 
Following Monday night's Senate filibuster over the pending bill that would take $30 million in casino entrance fees funding early childhood education and shift it to veteran's nursing homes, lawmakers react.
RunTime:  0:46
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: House leaders say they will not act on the state budget due May 11 until the Senate passes the veteran's home bill.

The House voted unanimously on the bill last week, but is now held up in the Senate.

Republican Senator Brian Munzlinger says he can't believe the bill is being held up and needs to pass for the veteran's sake.

Actuality:  MUNZ1.WAV
Run Time:  00:13
Description: Veterans, you know, face serious tragedies when they were fighting the wars and actually fought to give us this great country that we've got. It allows us the privilege to go down to the floor and debate.

Republican Senator Jason Crowell has stated his issues with certain aspects of the budget, such as directing $2 million to Southeast Missouri State University, and would rather act on that first.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Cole Karr.