The chairman of the Corrections and Public Institutions Committee, Rep. Mike McGhee, R-Odessa, said the benefits of private prisons do not just deal with the economic boost they can provide, but they also are "cleaner and safer than many local jails in smaller communities." He said a lot of counties have "old run-down prisons" and maybe prisoners should be moved from those to newer private prisons.
It was western Missouri Republican Mike McGhee who sponsored the amendment to require prison time to anyone who sells or buys drugs in front of a child.
The bill's sponsor, Republican Mike McGhee who represents Western Missouri says elected officials will accept less money because it is a privilege to represent the state.