Senate filibuster ends over unemployment benefits extension

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4/ 4/2011: Newspaper Story - The Missouri Senate will try again to pass the expired unemployment benefits by the end of the week.

4/ 6/2011: Newspaper Story - Senate Republicans say they will continue to filibuster if the governor does not negotiate unemployment compromises.

3/ 1/2011: Radio Story - Senate Republican leaders delay a vote on extending unemployment benefits after some in their own ranks filibuster over the plan

Intro:	After ending the filibuster over extending unemployment benefits for Missourians, one St. Louis County Senator says he won.
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Wrap: The filibuster ends as Senate leaders agree to cut $250 million in federal stimulus money to send back to the federal government.

St. Louis County Republican Senator Jim Lembke says the agreement is a great victory for Missouri taxpayers.

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Description: "I won, I won, my goal from the beginning was to send back as much stimulus money as possible, borrowed money from the federal government, and that's what we accomplished here today."

Republican leaders say both sides agree the stimulus cuts will not come from money designated for education.

The bill needs a final vote in the Senate before it moves on to the House.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Andrew Weil.

Intro:	Senate leaders commit to cutting $250 million in federal stimulus money in order to end a lengthy filibuster.
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Wrap: A group of Senators opposed to a plan to accept federal funds to extend unemployment benefits for Missourians, ended their filibuster Thursday after accepting a compromise with Senate leaders.

As part of the deal, Senate leaders say they will cut $250 million from federal stimulus projects for Missouri.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Tom Dempsey says states do look to the federal government for some funding.

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Description: "You know, it just means difficult decisions at all levels and I'm just glad that we were able to take one step forward today."

Republican St. Louis County Senator Jim Lembke was part of the filibuster.

He says the agreement is a great victory for Missouri taxpayers.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Andrew Weil.

Intro:	A Senate filibuster blocking a vote on extending unemployment benefits for thousands of Missourians ends.
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Wrap: In order to end the filibuster, Senate leaders agree to cut $250 million in federal stimulus projects in Missouri.

The plan also cuts the maximum weeks of state unemployment benefits from 26 to 20.

Republican St. Louis County Senator Jim Lembke was part of the filibuster.

He says the United States is a country in crisis.

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Description: "We're talking about shutting our federal government down yet we're talking about continuing to take money they've borrowed from China. This is a great victory for the taxpayers of Missouri today."

Senate Leader Rob Mayer says while Lembke succeeded in sending back federal funds, he questions how affective that message is.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Andrew Weil.