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A Missouri House member wants to ask voters to raise the state cigarette tax by 81 cents a pack.

Democrat Chris Kelly, of Columbia, outlined his plan Thursday to a House committee. He's proposing a future statewide vote on whether to raise Missouri's current 17-cent tax - the lowest in the nation - to 98 cents per pack.

Kelly says the increase could generate $425 million in state revenue, discourage people from smoking and bring down state health care costs.

For the second time this week, the Missouri House has taken a day off from floor action.

And once again, it’s tied to the struggle between the House and Senate over congressional redistricting.

The Missouri Senate has passed the state budget for next year.

The Senate’s $23.2 billion spending plan cuts the state’s higher education budget by 4.8 percent, and provides an additional $20 million for school bus funding.  Kurt Schaefer (R, Columbia) sponsored the budget bills in the Senate.

A proposed constitutional amendment that would shrink the size of the Missouri House from 163 members to 103 has passed the Missouri Senate.

If it passes both chambers, the measure would go before voters next year.

State Senator Jim Lembke (R, Lemay) says the downsizing would not happen right away.

St. Louis Police Make Arrest in Beating Death of Vietnamese Immigrant

St. Louis Police have arrested an 18- year- old in connection with the beating death of an elderly Vietnamese man in South City. Police have arrested Elex Murphy of North St. Louis and are holding him without bond. Murphy is charged with 1st degree Murder, 1st Degree Assault and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.

A police investigation revealed the attack was part of a game which involves unprovoked attacks on innocent bystanders. An investigation to identify other suspects is ongoing.