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JEFFERSON CITY - In Thursday's Senate session, Sen. Steve Stoll, D-Jefferson City, made his departure speech prior to his resignation to beecome city manager in Festus.

Joining Stoll in leaving the Senate is Sen. Sara Steelman, R-Rolla, who will be sworn in as state Treasurer on Monday.

Both have served in the Senate longer than any other current member -- just six.

Legislative term limits, which took effect for the Senate last year, limits members to eight years -- excluding partial terms.

JEFFERSON CITY - Legislative leaders cited as top priorites for the new legislative session key issues that business had been seeking for the last several years.

One is tighter limits on liability lawsuit awards. The other would impose additional restrictions on workers compensation.

In both the House and Senate on the opening day of the 2005 session, legislative leaders also cited as a top issue changing the state's system for funding local public schools.

JEFFERSON CITY - The annual session of Missouri's legislative session began Wednesday as legislative leaders had promised -- with signs of bi-partisan peace and cooperation.

In the Senate, the Democratic leader seconded the nomination of Republican Mike Gibbons to become the Senate's top leader -- president pro tem.

In the House, the newly elected Speaker -- Republican Rod Jetton -- announced a proposed House rule to guarantee Democrats with equal debate time in the full House.

For the last two years, legis

JEFFERSON CITY - Gov.-elect Matt Blunt told an education summit that the state's current system for financing public schools would not survive a constitutional challenge.

About three dozen legislative leaders and education advocates attended the summit called by the governor.

While ruling out raising taxes to fix the problem, Blunt said he would not rule out one idea that was proposed at the session -- to replace the property tax with an income or earnings tax for education.

JEFFERSON CITY - Gov.-Elect Matt Blunt announced he will nominate State Rep. Larry Crawford, R-Centertown, to head the state's prison system.

In 2003, Crawford sponsored the concealed weapons bill. Vetoed by the governor, the bill became law when the veto was overridden by the legislature later that fall.

Blunt also named a St. Louis insurance executive to be his choice to head the state's Insurance Department.

Both nominations will be subject to Senate confirmation.