MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
JEFFERSON CITY - After three years of failed attempts, a bill that would require local phone companies to provide callers with access to a live operator was finally passed on the House floor Wednesday morning.
Sponsor of the bill Russ Gunn, D-St. Louis, said the service is already provided by most local companies, but with the rapid changes in the telecommunication industry, he wanted to assure that the new companies would enter the market providing the same service.
"This bill is simple. We just want people to be able to talk to people, not machines" said Gunn.
Gunn disagreed with some lawmakers on the fact that his bill would have no cost impact. "It will cost no extra money, because this is already taking place these days" said Gunn.
In fact, fiscal impact was the reason for the defeat of two amendments to Gunn's bill. Rep. Delbert Scott, R-Lowry City, proposed to include the state government phone system in Gunn's bill. "Our constituents complain they have to dial numerous numbers in order to get through several state departments, especially the department of Revenue. We have to fix that," said Scott.
Gunn agreed, but warned it would lead to a price-tag for his bill. "It's not a bad amendment, but it's going to cost money to the tax payers and my bill doesn't deal with government at all".
Rep. John Loudon, R-St. Louis County, supported Scott's amendment and went a step further with another amendment that would have extended Gunn's bill to state government and universities as well.
"I don't think it will add cost. When we put voice mail in the state government we didn't have to lay anybody off" said Loudon.
Both Loudon and Scott's amendments were defeated on the floor and Gunn's bill given first-round approval.
It faces one more House vote before going to the Senate which passed a similar bill earlier this year.