Incumbent Sen. Jerry Howard, D-Dexter, is in a tough fight against Republican Bill Foster for that southeastern Missouri seat. In western Missouri, Sen. Harold Caskey, D-Butler, is squaring off against Republican Jim Howerton.
Next, Sen. Jerry Howard, D-Dexter, offered an amendment that would award the fines on a gradual scale based on population. If a government body represents a population of 100,000 or more, the penalty may be as strict as $5000.