The Senate spent 11 hours debating the House's veterans' bill, but a filibuster by Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, caused them to adjourn without a vote.
Republican Senator Jason Crowell has stated his issues with certain aspects of the budget, such as directing $2 million to Southeast Missouri State University, and would rather act on that first.
During Monday's debate, Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, vowed to block votes on the budget and every other piece of legislation unless there are several changes in the budget including $2 million increase passed by the House for SEMO.
A draft proposal by the Senate Veterans Committee Chairman Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, keeps the House plan, but adds language eliminating professional training programs for women.
Lampe said the Republican-controlled General Assembly refused to consider raising revenue because of populist campaign promises to not raise taxes. Republicans have said that raising the tax on cigarettes would disproportionately affect the poor. Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, has dubbed it the "most regressive tax."
Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, and Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield, blocked the proposed new tax credit and said they were frustrated with Missouri's current economic incentives.
"I did not know the 2,800 blind people in Missouri were the reason we are in this budget crisis right now," said Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau sarcastically.
In addition to Lembke and Purgason, the fiscal conservative gang included Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-St. Louis County, Sen. Will Kraus, R-Jackson County, Sen. Brian Nieves, R-Washington, Sen. Luann Ridgeway, R-Smithville, Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, and Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph.
Cape Girardeau Republican Senator Jason Crowell blasted Senate Appropriations Chair Republican Kurt Schaefer saying Schaefer is just putting temporary patches in the budget and leaving the problem to future generations.
Although several amendments to the bill were offered, only one, suggested by Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, was actually added to the bill. Crowell's amendment establishes a joint committee to review and potentially revise the Missouri Criminal Code. The amendment passed unanimously, and comes among many recent discussions suggesting Missouri's sentencing standards may be flawed.
Hall had a few plans for turning Missouri's economy around, but didn't have an opinion on most of the questions the senators asked him. Among those grilling Hall was Republican Senator Jason Crowell.
Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, showed frustration in the meeting after Hall told him he had no opinion on several legislative proposals. Crowell asked Hall his stance on the state's prevailing wage law, right to work law and minimum wage law. Hall told Crowell he had not "had much experience" with those legislative proposals and had no opinion.
The two-day long filibuster was brought about by a few senators who were discontented with some of the items in the budget. Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardieu, led much of the filibuster and said he would hold up debate on all bills brought before the Senate floor, no matter their content, until a $2 million earmark set aside for Southeast Missouri State University was eliminated. Crowell argued that the $2 million was simply being used as a favor to House Speaker Steve Tilley, R-Per..
During Monday's debate, Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, vowed to block votes on the budget and every other piece of legislation unless there are several changes in the budget including $2 million increase passed by the House for SEMO.
During Monday's debate, Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, vowed to block votes on the budget and every other piece of legislation unless there are several changes in the budget including $2 million increase passed by the House for SEMO.
A draft proposal by the Senate Veterans Committee Chairman Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, keeps the House plan, but adds language eliminating professional training programs for women.
Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, and Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield, blocked the proposed new tax credit and said they were frustrated with Missouri's current economic incentives.
Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, and Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield, blocked the proposed new tax credit and said they were frustrated with Missouri's current economic incentives.
Republican Senator Jason Crowell questioned spending plans for the St. Louis Rams Stadium improvements Wednesday at a senate appointment hearing. Sports Complex Authority nominee James Shrewsbury told senators he does not believe the economy is stable enough to support major government funding.
Republican Senator Jason Crowell questioned spending plans for the St. Louis Rams Stadium improvements Wednesday at a senate appointment hearing. Sports Complex Authority nominee James Shrewsbury told senators he does not believe the economy is stable enough to support major government funding.
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