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Mo. Senate budget plan notable for zeros

Republicans in the Missouri Senate want to make sure the governor doesn't create a health care exchange without their consent.
KBIA/file photo
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KBIA
Republicans in the Missouri Senate want to make sure the governor doesn't create a health care exchange without their consent.

Missouri senators are considering a roughly $25 billion budget plan that may be most notable for what it doesn't contain.

Senate debate on the budget is scheduled to begin late Monday, with some of the most agreeable items up first. Those include a $66 million increase in basic aid for public schools and a $34 million increase for public colleges and universities.

Later, senators are to discuss more contentious topics. The budget proposed by the Senate Appropriations Committee wipes out all funding for the motor vehicle and driver's license division. The intent is to register senators' disapproval of licensing procedures that include making electronic copies of applicants' personal documents.

Like the House version of the budget, the Senate plan includes no money for Gov. Jay Nixon's Medicaid expansion.
 

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