Mo. Lawmakers leave Capitol early to avoid possible winter weather
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Mo. Lawmakers leave Capitol early to avoid possible winter weather

Date: February 20, 2013
By: Matt Evans
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Lawmakers at the Missouri State Capitol are heading home a day earlier than usual trying to beat the snow storm that forecasters are predicting across the Midwest.
RunTime:  0:47
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: I'm standing outside the doors to the Missouri Senate chambers and ((NATS OF DOOR)) Well, it's already locked.  On most weeks, boisterous debate can be heard through Wednesday evenings and into Thursday, but this week lawmakers are heading home early.

The decision to leave comes two years after a winter storm dumped nearly 20 inches of snow across mid-Missouri and stranded lawmakers inside the Capitol.

Senate Leader Tom Dempsey says that's one reasons he wants to go home.

Actuality:  DEMPSNOW.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: "I was the guy that kept us in when we had the 25 inches of snow so I told the Majority Leader - I said 'If you want somebody to stand up and say we need to get out of here, I'll do it."

Both the House and Senate will be back in session Monday.

Reporting from the state Capitol and outside an unusually quiet Senate chamber, I'm Matt Evans. Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: 
The halls at the Missouri Capitol are empty a day earlier than usual as lawmakers try to beat the winter weather scheduled to slam the Midwest later this week.
RunTime:  0:42
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: ((NATS OF LOCKED DOOR))

The doors to the Missouri Senate chambers have already been locked up for the week.

Usually senators would debate bills into the evening Wednesday and Thursday, but this week the chamber is quiet and will be until Monday.

Senate Majority Leader Ron Richard told reporters after the Senate adjourned early it's important to air on the side of caution.

Actuality:  RICHSNOW.WAV
Run Time:  00:10
Description: "I don't want anyone to be here, including y'all, if this weather kicks in like it did sometime ago it's just not worth, just not worth it to get someone in harm's way."

Both the Senate and House canceled the rest of the week's activities.

Reporting from outside the empty Senate chambers at the state Capitol, I'm Matt Evans. Newsradio 1120 KMOX.