Legislation that allows prayer in public schools and government buildings passes Senate Committee unanimoulsy

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3/ 3/2009: Radio Story - People have the right to pray in school says a Senator who proposed an amendment to Missouri's Constitution.

Intro:	A Senate Committee unanimously passes legislation to allow prayer in public schools and government buildings.
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Wrap: For four years in a row the legislation has made it to the Senate floor, but died there everytime.

St. Louis City Democrat Robin Wright-Jones says she has no problem with people praying anywhere.

Wright Jones voted for the bill in committee and says she does not see any Democratic opposition this year.

Actuality:	WRIGHTJ2.WAV
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Description: "There's just the eight of us and two of us voted for it. I think the others are Roman Catholic men so I don't think they would have a problem, but I don't know for sure."

The House has already passed the bill and the bill's sponsor says he is very optimistic the Senate will pass it too.

Reporting from the Capitol, I'm Brian Bondus.

Intro:	Freedom to pray in public schools and government buildings passes a Senate Committee unanimously.
RunTime:	0:38
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: This is the fourth year in a row the legislation has made it to the Senate floor, but previously has gone nowhere.

Democratic supporter Senator Robin Wright-Jones says she is not opposed to prayer.

Actuality:	WRIGHTJ3.WAV
Run Time:	00:06
Description: "I don't know where anybody elses head is at, but I'm not opposed to prayer in public schools. I'm not opposed to prayer anywehre."

Wright-Jones voted for it in committee and says she does not see any Democratic opposition this year.

The bill's Republican sponsor says this is good legislation for the state of Missouri and he is optimistic the Senate will pass it.

The House has already passed the bill and now it will go to the Senate floor.

Reporting from the Capitol, I'm Brian Bondus.

Intro:	For the fourth year in a row legislation to allow prayer in public schools and government building is in front of the Senate.
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OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The bill was passed in Senate Committe unanimously.

The House has already passed the legislation and the bill's sponsor from Odessa says he is optimistic the Senate will follow suit.

ACLU spokesman Josh Cambell was the only person to speak in opposition of the bill and says his organization believes there needs to be greater education on individual rights, but this bill is the not right approach.

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Description: "We feel as an organization that unfortunately this piece of legislation is too long, too complex, repetitive at times, and ambiguous in others that will ultimately and unfortunately lead to more litigation not less litigation."

The bill will now go to the Senate floor where it has died the last four years.

Reporting from the Capitol, I'm Brian Bondus.