Washington

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Senate Lifts Spending Restrictions
The Senate approved an amendment, co-sponsored by Missouri Senator Jim Talent, that gives senators flexibility in finding revenue sources for transportation measures. The annual budget resolution for transportation lowered the budget on transportation from $318 million last year to $284 million this year. The amendment will allow the Senate to debate the size of highway bills with all funding options on the table.

Talent Urges Bush to Stay the Course
Senator Talent has urged the President to change his mind on a measure that would significantly reduce the money being spent on the war on drugs. Pres. Bush has announced plans to end $634 million in grants to state and local police departments and cut between $100 million and $226 million to anti-drug work in high-traffic areas, including several in Missouri. Missouri had more than 2,700 meth lab seizures in 2004.  

Jefferson City

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Economic Development Bill Passed
The Senate passed the Missouri Quality Jobs Program, designed to give businesses incentives to relocate into Missouri or expand their existing business. The program allows eligible businesses to keep the employee withholding taxes as long as they offer health insurance to their employees and pay half the cost of the premium. In addition, the company must create at least 20 new jobs in rural areas and at least 40 new jobs in urban areas.  

Topeka

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Governor Signs Ethanol Fuel Bill
Governor Sebelius signed a Senate bill that eliminates the requirement for gasoline pumps to show the content and percentage of ethyl alcohol, such as ethanol. Sponsors of the bill said that the requirement discouraged the use of gasoline containing ethanol, which is made in Kansas. “Ethanol burns cleaner… so it helps our environment and our economy,” Sebelius said in signing the bill.