House focuses on state budget as session comes to a close

The Missouri House of Representatives is trying to move quickly on several bills before they adjourn May 15; but it could be a long two weeks, state representative Barney Fisher, R-125th District, said on Monday.

"The focus this week is on the budget, we have to pass that by Friday," Fisher said. "I don't think there's a lot of controversy except for bills 10 and 11. The conference committee met all last week and worked on the differences between the house and senate versions. The senate bill is $800 million larger than the house bill. I'm not sure what they've come up with, we'll have to see if the compromise is acceptable. We don't know how much they've expanded the social services programs."

The house is waiting on the senate to act on economic development and has sent over several bills.

"The economic development bill has languished in the senate," Fisher said. "There are about three factions there that are stalling it. The strategy from the house speaker is to send them more bills."

Fisher said the legislature didn't start working until 4 p.m. on Mondays to give representatives time to get to Jefferson City from their districts.

"It takes me two and a half or three hours to drive to Jefferson City but for some of the members it's an eight- or nine-hour drive," Fisher said. "If you live along (U.S. Highway) 54 or I-70 it's no problem; but for those in the Bootheel or far northwest or northeast there is no good way to get there, they have to take four or five different roads."

The late start just means the first day will run late into the night.

"I expect it to be midnight or later when we finish tonight," Fisher said.

If the legislature doesn't accomplish all it's goals Governor Jay Nixon could bring them back for a special session.

"If he does that we can only work on those items he has called for," Fisher said. "We can't do any work on anything else."