Marshall Griffin

 A Missouri senator has successfully killed a bill that would have authorized a government database to track people's prescription drug purchases.

It appears unlikely that Missouri lawmakers will pass any legislation this year that would turn Interstate Highway 70 into a toll road.

Missouri U.S. Senator Roy Blunt briefly addressed the Missouri House Thursday.

A Republican member of the Missouri House announced today that he is gay during a press conference on a bill that would limit public schools from discussing sexual orientation in the classroom.  Zachary Wyatt of Kirksville told reporters he has deep regrets for not taking stands earlier against school bullying, and called for lawmakers to shelve the so-called “don’t say gay” bill.

With his disclosure today, Wyatt becomes the only current openly gay Republican state legislator in the nation.

St. Louis Public Radio’s Marshall Griffin talked with Wyatt about the bill and his decision to come out.

With three weeks left in the legislative session, Governor Jay Nixon is urging lawmakers to fund

The budget chairman for the Missouri House is not happy with the Senate’s decision early today (Wednesday) to restore 28 million dollars for blind pensions.  An amendment by GOP Senator Jim Lembke of St. Louis County reversed the cut that the House wanted to use for Higher Education.

The Missouri House has given first-round approval to legislation that would expand tax breaks for auto parts manufacturers.  Ford and General Motors already have access to the incentives. 

The Missouri Senate passed a $24 billion state budget early Wednesday morning, following several hours of debate and closed-door negotiations.  The Senate reversed the House’s gutting of a pension program for the blind.

The Missouri House has given first-round approval to legislation that would require most teenagers to get their parents’ permission to use tanning beds.  

Those younger than 17 would have to have a parent or guardian show up in person at the tanning salon and sign a document giving their consent. The bill’s sponsor, GOP House Member Gary Cross of Lee’s Summit, says his daughter suffered cell damage from regular tanning bed use.

The state budget for next year is being blocked in the Missouri Senate by a group of fiscally conservative Republicans.