No discussion on constitutional amendment to prevent legislative walkouts

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3/ 3/2011: Radio Story - Missouri Democrats say the political uprising in Wisconsin would never happen here.

Intro:	There was no debate on a hearing for a proposed constitutional amendment that would prevent legislative walkouts like those in Wisconsin and Indiana.
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OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: It's been two months since Wisconsin Democrats left the state Capitol to boycott an anti-union bill.

Yet a measure that would kick Missouri legislators out of office who did the same thing saw no debate in a Senate committee hearing.

Its sponsor, southwest Missouri Republican Mike Parson, says the bill is a practical measure that needs passage.

Actuality:	PARSON10.WAV
Run Time:	00:11
Description: "Regardless of what party you're with or what your affiliation is with, you should never leave here simply because you don't want to perform your duties. That's not what you come to Jefferson City, that's not what you get elected to do."

Although if Democrats walked out of the Missouri legislature, work could still go on.

Wisconsin requires sixty percent of members present to hold session, while Missouri only requires a majority.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Elizabeth Hagedorn.

Intro:	Just months after Wisconsin Democrats fled their state Capitol in protest, a proposed constitutional amendment to prevent that from happening in Missouri sparks little debate.
RunTime:	0:46
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: There was no discussion in a Senate committee hearing to keep state legislators from leaving the Show-Me State to avoid a vote.

The amendment's sponsor, southwest Republican Senator Mike Parson, says he doesn't know if what happened in Wisconsin could happen here.

He does say that the responsiblity of lawmakers to perform their duties should be enforced regardless.

Actuality:	PARSON11.WAV
Run Time:	00:10
Description: "I just think we have an obligation to the people back home that we took an oath to do it. I just think leaving this state so you dont have to vote or perform your duties which you took an oath to do is wrong."

Although if Democrats walked out of the Missouri legislature, work could still go on.

Wisconsin requires sixty percent of members present to hold session, while Missouri only requires a majority.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Elizabeth Hagedorn.

Intro:	A Missouri constitutional amendment to prevent legislative walkouts like those in Wisconsin saw no debate in its Senate committee hearing.
RunTime:	0:43
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Two months after Wisconsin Democrats fled the state Capitol in protest of an anti-union bill, a Missouri senator has introduced a measure to keep lawmakers here from doing the same thing.

Under southwest Missouri Republican Mike Parson's resolution, lawmakers who leave the state to avoid a vote would lose their seats.

Actuality:	PARSON11.WAV
Run Time:	00:10
Description: "I just think we have an obligation to the people back home that we took an oath to do it. I just think leaving this state so you dont have to vote or perform your duties which you took an oath to do is wrong."

Although if Democrats walked out of the Missouri legislature, work could still go on.

Wisconsin requires sixty percent of members present to hold session, while Missouri only requires a majority.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Elizabeth Hagedorn.