Dark Money Measure Delayed in Senate

Intro:	A measure uncovering large donors to politically active nonprofits was opposed over privacy concerns
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Wrap: St. Charles County Senator Bob Onder led the opposition, saying that citizens' political speech must be protected and their donations private.

Actuality:	ONDER.WAV
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Description: The data would not be confidential. It would be accessible to all the world.

Supporters said people have the right to face their accuser and show voters who is funding their elected officials.

Digital ads displaying the cell number of Republican Senator Rob Schaaf were shown by a nonprofit connected to Governor Eric Greitens.

The measure would disclose donors of more than five-thousand dollars to nonprofits that support or oppose a candidate. Debate ended after five hours with no votes taken.

Reporting from the state Captiol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.

Intro:	A senator's mission was uncovering secret donors, like those who paid to release his private cell number
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Wrap: Republican Senator Rob Schaaf said he should know who is funding ads opposing his actions.

Actuality:	SCHAAF5.WAV
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Description: I don't know who contributed the money to pay for those ads because it's secret.

Opponents said political speech disclosure would impact too vast an array of nonprofit organizations.

Schaaf was targeted by a nonprofit connected to Governor Eric Greitens, called A New Missouri. The digital ads asked viewers to call the senator's private number to stop blocking Senate debate.

The discussion between Schaaf and fellow Republican Senator Bob Onder became heated enough that the Senate stopped debate for ten minutes to allow its members to regroup. There was no vote on the measure by mid-afternoon Friday.

Reporting from the state Captiol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.

Intro:	After two attempts to disclose donors to political nonprofits, a senator failed to make progress on his signature issue Friday
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Wrap: Republican Senator Rob Schaaf proposed his dark money measure to fierce opposition by St. Charles County Senator Bob Onder.

Schaaf said the measure would provide transparency for citizens to see political donors. Onder said the measure would put political donors in danger. There was no vote on the measure by Friday afternoon.

The heated debate over ethics is the culmination of weeks in which Schaaf has pushed for the measure while speaking on other bills, including some filibusters.

The General Assembly has one week left before the end of the legislative session.

Reporting from the state Captiol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.

Intro:	A senator said divisions in the majority party have led to little progress this session
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Wrap: Republican Senator Bob Dixon said the nonprofit targeting Republican Senators was breaking a GOP tradition.

Actuality:	DIXON3.WAV
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Description: I bet that's where we'd find Ronald Regan's 11th commandment. In the trash can.

That 'commandment' states "Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican."

The speech followed a three-hour debate mostly between two Senators who have been at-odds. A dark money measure that had been assured a vote by Senate leadership was blocked.

The Senate has one more week before the session ends, with many legislative priorities waiting for passage.

Reporting from the state Captiol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.