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Curtain Falls On Missouri's 2013 Legislative Session

Missouri's legislative session has ended, with several issues resolved and several more that came up just short.  St. Louis Public Radio's Marshall Griffin takes a closer look at the final day, and at what happens now:

2013 Mo. legislative session ends

A few that didn't make it, and a few that did

On the eve of the final day of session, Senate Majority Floor Leader Ron Richard (R, Joplin) said he wanted to pass either a tax credit package or the one-cent transportation sales tax – preferably both, but both failed.  As it did in years past, the tax credit debate again bogged down over how much to cap incentives for low-income housing and for historic preservation projects.   The liquor franchise bill also failed during the last hour of session, despite a last-ditch compromise reached Thursday night.  A separate bill that would allow home brewers to enter their beer at beer festivals did make it across the finish line.  Other bills passed Friday include those that move the presidential primary date from February to March, require public hearings on adopting Common Core Standards for K-12 schools, and a proposed constitutional amendment reaffirming Missourians' right to keep and bear arms.

Differing views on the success of the 2013 session

House Speaker Tim Jones (R, Eureka) gave his chamber high marks for their performance this year.

"We have a lot to be proud of in this long list of accomplishments that will remind the people who elected us that they made the right choice in sending this common sensesupermajorityto Jefferson City to represent them," Jones said.

Governor Jay Nixon (D), though, is giving the 2013 session mixed reviews.  He congratulated lawmakers for passing a fix for the state's insolvent Second Injury Fund, and for increasing funding for public schools and mental health.  But he criticized them for taking no action to expand Medicaid, and he told reporters after adjournment that next year he'll renew his push for more Medicaid dollars.

"They'restill out there, starting in January, 100 percent federal funding," Nixon said.  "I certainly think we'regonnasee some of the consequences of not moving forward, whether it's losing some jobs in the health care sector or the upward pressure on health care rates."

Unfinished business

Meanwhile, one bill in particular that lawmakers in both parties say is critically needed still failed to make it out – the bond issue to build and upgrade state property, primarily on college campuses.  Senate President Pro-tem Tom Dempsey (R, St. Charles) says they simply didn't have enough time to properly examine the proposal.

"I want to spend a lot of time this summer (on it)," Dempsey said.  "I may implement an interim committee to study bonding, to go around the state and look at these projects."

Most of the post-session work, though, will be carried out by Governor Nixon and his staff, as they prepare to review every bill passed this year and decide which ones to sign and which ones to veto.  In addition, the Governor has until June30thto sign the state budget into law.

Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter:  @MarshallGReport

Copyright 2013 St. Louis Public Radio

St. Louis Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a native of Mississippi and proud alumnus of Ole Miss (welcome to the SEC, Mizzou!). He has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off an old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Liberty Belle, and their cat, Honey.