By a near party-line vote, the Missouri House handed Gov. Bob Holden his first legislative defeat since he became governor last month. House Republicans, along with a handful of Democrats, voted down the governor's plan to use some of the tobacco settlement money to balance the state's budget during the current fiscal year. Get the newspaper story. Get the newspaper analysis of the politics. Get the House roll-call vote. .
Rural opposition sends hay-ride saftey legislation back to the drawing board.
The Senate sponsor of legislation to impose safety standards on hay rides has pulled back her effort after encountering rural opposition in committee. The measure was prompted by the death of a St. Louis area child last year. Get the newspaper story. . Senator revises bill to regulate hay rides in face of rural opposition. Previously, she had proposed a statewide regulation. .