"It opens up a room for lots of problems," said Rep. Paula Carter, D-St. Louis City. She said anybody could claim to be a victim -- without proof -- and seek an HIV test.
House sponsor Paula Carter of St. Louis says she intends to get the amendments stripped off the bill when it is taken up next in conference committee. From the State Capitol, I'm Adam Levine.
"When there's a 35 percent decrease in federal funds, we thought it necessary," said Health Appropriations Committee Chairman Paula Carter, D-St. Louis.
But Black Caucus Chair Paula Carter said Leake's rural background -- and his past opposition to bills for St. Louis City and other urban areas simply made him unacceptable to the Black Caucus:
Actually, Leake had no choice but to give up -- after Black Caucus Chair Paula Carter made it clear that there was no way the rural, conservative Democrat would get the votes of the Black Caucus:
Rep. Paula Carter called the notion that gifts from lobbyists buy votes a myth. The St. Louis Democrat said she didn't think it was a concern of her constituents, but rather an issue that has been blown by the news media.
Black Caucus Chair Paula Carter, D-St. Louis, said the caucus would have supported any of the party's three possible nominees for speaker, as long as Fletcher Daniels was the party's nominee for speaker pro tem.