Senate committee hears public testimony on bill that would increase funding for Missouri schools

Intro:	A Senate committee heard testimony on a bill that would allow more money for Missouri schools from traffic violations. Michael Lindquist has more from the state Capitol.
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Wrap: Republican Senator Eric Schmitt from St. Louis County is the sponsor of a bill that would reduce the amount of money a city or county can get from court fees and traffic violations within their jurisdiction and increase the amount of money sent to local schools.

This law would lower that threshold to ten percent.

Schmitt says this bill would address a major statewide problem.

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Description: "In our state, I think we have a problem, we have a challenge, we have too many municipalities that are too reliant on traffic tickets and fines to fund their government and it has led to injustices in our municipal court system."

Democratic Senator Jamilah Nasheed of St. Louis City and Republican Senator Tom Dempsey are co-sponsoring the bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Michael Lindquist.

Intro:	A St. Louis area senator explained a bill that would give more money to Missouri schools in front of a Senate committee. Michael Lindquist has more from the Capitol.
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Wrap: St. Louis County Republican Senator Eric Schmitt explained his bill to the Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government committee where the bill received praise and criticism from members of the public and local government.

The law would restrict cities from allowing more than ten percent of their budget to come from court fees and traffic fines. All of the revenue over the threshold must be distributed to local schools.

Democratic Senator Jamilah Nasheed of St. Louis City offered her support.

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Description: "I understand that many of the municipalities are doing good work, however, a policy where you get thirty percent of your revenue from fines is very alarming."

Republican Senator Tom Dempsey is co-sponsoring the bill along with Nasheed.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Michael Lindquist.

Intro:	A bill that would restrict a local government from allowing traffic fines to be a major contributor to its budget received support and criticism in front of a senate committee. Michael Lindquist has more from Jefferson City.
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Wrap: St. Louis County Republican Senator Eric Schmitt told members of the Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government committee about his bill that would reduce the amount of money a city can allow into its budget from court fees and traffic violations and increase the amount of money sent to local schools.

Current Missouri law allows up to thirty percent of its budget to come from traffic fines, this bill would lower it to ten percent.

Mayor of Vinita Park, James McGee, says people don't take enough responsibility while they're behind the wheel.

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Description: "It's a privilege to drive a car, so if you're driving that car, take the responsibility. If you're speeding...stop speeding!"

Democratic Senator Jamilah Nasheed of St. Louis City and Republican Senator Tom Dempsey are co-sponsoring the bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Michael Lindquist.