House Republicans pushed through an ethics bill without a single vote from Democrats.
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House Republicans pushed through an ethics bill without a single vote from Democrats.

Date: May 6, 2010
By: Nick Berry
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SB 844 and the roll call vote.

Intro:  Republicans pushed an ethics bill through Missouri's House that exempts legislators from campaign contribution restrictions.
Runtime:  0:41
Out Cue:  SOC

Wrap: House Republicans refused to hear amendments to a bill that would overhaul special interest group regulations.

St. Louis County Republican Tim Jones said this bill fulfilled one of the legislature's top priorities.

Actuality:  JONES5.WAVE
Run Time:  00:14
Description: "The majority had no choice today but to govern as the majority. As you've heard from the other members of leadership, this was a position that we promised we would accomplish at the beginning of session and we succeeded in keeping that promise today."

However Minority Leader Paul LeVota said this action was hollow and disingenuous.

Other Democrats said this a way for Republicans to posture themselves politically and doubt that the Senate will pass the bill.

From the State Capitol, I'm Nick Berry.

Intro:  House Republicans blocked Democrats from amending what they described as an "omnibus ethics bill."
Runtime:  0:40
Out Cue:  SOC

Wrap: Democrats say this bill changes the intentions of the special interest regulations they had been fighting for all year.

The bill includes a photo ID requirement in order to vote.

Kansas City Democrat Jason Kander worked on the original ethics bill that was shot down earlier this session.

Actuality:  KANDER.WAVE
Run Time:  00:14
Description: "This is a mockery of everything we've been talking about for eight months. They've put numerous poison pills in this to take something that should be non-partisan, that we try to do simply because it's what the citizens of the state want, and try to turn it into something partisan."

Republicans countered by saying they were willing to go to extreme lengths to get an ethics bill through this session.

From the State Capitol, I'm Nick Berry.