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Refunds for voice mail

January 11, 2000
By: Renny MacKay
State Capital Bureau

If a state lawmaker has his way state agencies may have to hang up on voice mail.

Renny MacKay has more from Jefferson City.

Story:MacKay
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Tired of being stuck listening to a machine when you want nothing more than to talk to a live person?

Well so is Senator Danny Staples. He is proposing a bill that may not put an end to voice mail, but may help.

Actuality:
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OutCue: in any state office.
Contents: He says the government spends millions of dollars and has a responsibility to answer phone calls from citizens.

His plan...a bill that will refund any long distance calls to a state agency that are not answered by a live person.

Renny MacKay from the State Capitol.

Getting ahold of state officials could get a lot easier.

Renny MacKay in Jefferson City has more.

Story:MacKay
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A state lawmaker says he wants to ensure that citizens can talk to a live person when they call state agencies.

Senator Danny Staples from Southcentral Missouri is proposing a bill that should make officials stay a little closer to thier phones. The bill would make the state pay long distance charges for people calling state agencies who don't speak with a live person.

Actuality:Staples
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OutCue: thier problem.
Contents: He says it's outrageous for a person calling a state official to have to pay to listen to voice mail and not have their problem dealt with.

Staples' problem is getting the bill past the scruitiny of his fellow lawmakers.

Renny MacKay from the State Capitol.

Date:January 11, 2000

A state lawmaker is hoping that other state officials will answer his call.

Renny MacKay in Jefferson City has more.

Story:MacKay
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A newly proposed bill would make the state cough up the money for some of citizens' long distance phone calls.

People calling state agencies who end up stuck listening to voice mail would have their long distance charges paid for by the state.

Senator Danny Staples from Southcentral Missouri, isn't one for automation.

Actuality:Staples
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OutCue:
Contents: He says that he, for one, will never have voice mail in his office.

He says that he hopes his bill will make other state officials get rid of their voice mail and respond in person to callers' problems.

Renny MacKay from the State Capitol.

Tired of being stuck on the line listening to a machine? A state lawmaker feels your pain.

Renny MacKay in Jefferson City has more.

Story:MacKay
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Senator Danny Staples from Southcentral Missouri is proposing a bill that would make the state pay for your long distance calls... If your call is to a state agency and you aren't able to speak with a live person.

Just hold onto your phone bills.

Actuality:Staples
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Contents: He says that people mailing their phone bill to the state would be reimbursed for the charges and for postage.

Staples says the price tag for the bill is much lower than the cost of leaving citizens stranded on voice mail.

Renny MacKay from the State Capitol.