Senate budget cuts hit the front end of Missourians' autos
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Senate budget cuts hit the front end of Missourians' autos

Date: March 3, 2010
By: Theo Keith
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SB 781

Intro: 
Missouri's deep budget crisis is running into the front end of your automobile. Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:  0:48
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The Senate gave first-round approval to a bill stripping the requirement that Missourians have a license plate on the front of their cars.

Jackson County Republican Matt Bartle says two plates are a luxury.

Actuality:  BARTLE13.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: "We're gonna be cutting, like, bone and marrow here in the next few days. And things that used to be essential are no longer essential."

Bartle says the state would save $3 million - a tiny fraction of its budget.

State Highway Patrol Lieutenant John Hotz says without that front plate, it's harder to identify criminals.

Actuality:  HOTZ1.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "It would be much more difficult to determine when you meet that car, particularly if you meet them in an oncoming fashion."

Illinois also requires front and back license plates. Kansas only requires a back plate.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: 
A budget cutting move in Missouri's Senate has a head-on impact for your automobile. Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:  0:43
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The Senate gave first-round approval to a bill reversing the requirement that Missourians have a front license plates on their cars.

Jackson County Republican Senator Matt Bartle says it saves the state $3 million.

Kansas doesn't require front license plates.

Bartle and Jackson County Democrat Yvonne Wilson argued whether police have a harder time identifying criminals without front plates.

Actuality:  BARTLE11.WAV
Run Time:  00:09

Description: BARTLE: "All those people from Kansas driving in the state of Missouri, and somehow the Missouri police officers do just fine dealing with people from other states."

WILSON: "I don't know if they do just fine."

The Missouri State Highway Patrol doesn't support or oppose the bill.

A spokesman did say front license plates help troopers on the road.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.