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NewsBook: Missouri Government News for Week of April 28, 2003

 
. Missouri's Senate breaks a filibuster and approves concealed weapons legislation. (05/02/03)
JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's Senate approved a slightly changed House-passed bill to let private citizens carry concealed weapons.

It's similar to the issue rejected by Missouri voters a few years ago. The legislative plan, however, would not be subject to voter approval.

The Senate vote came after the Senate voted to end a two-day filibuster -- only the 5th session in some 100 years the Senate has voted to force a vote on a bill.

The governor has threated to veto the bill, which now goes back to the House.

  • Get the bill roll call.
  • Get the roll call to end the filibuster.
    . Audit criticizes state colleges for excessive spending (05/01/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's colleges and universities need to do a better job cutting costs to help curb double-digit tuition increases, according to an audit released Thursday by State Auditor Claire McCaskill. That criticism comes as higher education braces for the possibility of multi-million dollar budget cuts.

  • Get the newspaper story
    . Abortion bill goes to governor (05/01/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Less than 12 hours after the state Senate agreed to a 24-hour wait for a woman who wants an abortion, the House passed the final version of the bill and sent it to the governor's desk.

    But that's where it is likely to stop because Democratic Gov. Bob Holden has vowed to veto any anti-abortion legislation that comes to him.

    But the bill passed both chambers with more than the two-thirds votes that would be necessary to override veto.

    The bill, which is the first anti-abortion bill to hit the governor's desk since 1999, requires a woman to meet in person with a doctor, sign a consent form and wait at least one day before an abortion can be done.

  • Get the newspaper story
  • Get the radio stories.
  • Get the House roll call.
  • Get the Senate roll call.
    . Abortion restrictions pass the Senate in the wee hours of the morning. (05/01/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - In a marathon session that lasted 3am Thursday morning, the Missouri Senate approved a House-passed measure that would require a 24-hour waiting period after counseling before a woman could undergo an abortion.

    Passage came after strenous Democratic objections that the Republican leadership refused to allow Democrats to offer further amendments.

    Wednesday morning, Democrats stalled Senate action in protest.

  • Get the roll call.
    . Bill that would increase fines for nursing homes with violations heads to the governor (04/30/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Several years after the legislature first took up nursing home reform, a bill that would increase fines on nursing homes with violations while relaxing inspections on those with good records is on its way to the governor's desk.

    The Senior Care and Protection Act passed both houses with only one dissenting vote.

  • Get the newspaper story.
    . Missouri's Senate rejects a sales tax increase and higher taxes on out-of-state businesses. (04/30/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's Senate narrowly defeated a proposal to bring a one cent sales tax increase before Missouri's voters. They also killed a proposal to raise funds for this year's budget by increasing taxes on out of state corporations.

    Instead they approved a $130 million revenue package that depends largely on one-time monies to balance this year's budget.

  • Get the newspaper story.
  • Get the roll call on the sales tax amendment.
    . Amrine conviction overturned by state high court (04/29/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - In a 4-3 decision, Missouri's Supreme Court overturned the murder conviction of Joseph Amrine.

    Amrine had been sentenced to death for fatally stabbing a fellow Jefferson City inmate in 1985. But, Amrine's lawyer successfully argued that those who testified against Amrine were lying in return for a deal.

    Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon told the Associated Press this was the first time the state high court allowed for a simple claim of innocence--as opposed to constitutional or other legal grounds--as the basis for the reversal of a conviction.

    . Tougher nursing home regulation passes House--but without pricey provision (04/29/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - The House passed the Senior Care and Protection Act, which toughens fines and enforcement of "problem" nursing homes. But, a provision regarding Medicaid reimbursement with an $80 million price tag was left behind.
  • Get the radio stories.
    . Prison sentences would be cut short under Senate bill (04/29/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - In response to the shrinking space for new inmates, a measure that would decrease prison sentences for "non-violent" offenders came before a House committee Tuesday.
  • Get the newspaper story.
    . Medicaid could take hit under Senate bill (04/29/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Medicaid coverage could be more easily cut under a bill passed by the Senate.
  • Get the newspaper story.
    . Earlier alcohol on Sundays (04/29/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Kansas City football fans will get to start tailgating three hours earlier under measure passed by the Missouri House on Tuesday.

    The bill, which is a reversal of the state's blue laws restricting certain activities on Sundays, will allow alcohol sales as early as 8 a.m. in and around the Kansas City sports complex.

    . Missouri's House votes to ban unions from taking service fees from state workers. (04/28/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - By a straight party-line vote, the House passed and sent to the Senate legislation that would prohibit a union from taking service fees from non-union state governnment workers.

    Last year, Gov. Bob Holden signed an executive order authorizing unions to seek fees from non-union workers.

  • Get the roll call.
    . House Committee passes bill that would give Ford tax breaks to stay in Hazelwood (04/28/2003)
    JEFFERSON CITY - The bill would require that, in exchange for tax benefits, Ford would invest at least $500 million in the state. The state's Director of Economic Development estimates over 2,000 jobs would be lost in Hazelwood if the plant closes.

    Get the radio story.

    . Superintendents threaten lawsuit against state (04/28/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Only weeks after State Auditor Claire McCaskill released an audit giving Missouri's schools a grade of "F" in equity, superintendents from around the state echoed this sentiment, threatening to sue the state.

    Get the newspaper story.

    . Welfare Reform: Six Years Later (04/28/03)
    JEFFERSON CITY - Six years ago, welfare reform went into effect. States gained more power over administering welfare benefits. The program required work and imposed a 60-month lifetime time-limit. Today, some argue that the new program isn't moving people out of poverty.

  • Get the radio features.