Missouri Lawmakers Give Final Approval to Federally Funded Jobless Payments
Missouri lawmakers have given final approval to a bill renewing federally funded jobless payments for thousands of people who lost their benefits because of a protest against federal spending by several Republican state senators. The House voted 138-13 Tuesday to send the legislation to Gov. Jay Nixon.
The Senate passed the bill a day earlier, but only after amending it to reduce state-funded jobless benefits for people laid off in the future. As part of a deal to end a filibuster, Republican Senate leaders also pledged to identify up to $250 million of cuts to federal stimulus programs in Missouri. Missouri's participation ended April 2 in a federal program that provides 20 additional weeks of benefits to people who already have been unemployed for a year and half.
McCaskill Raises $1 million in First Quarter of 2011
Sen. Claire McCaskillreports raising more than $1 million for her re-election campaign in the first quarter in 2011, a strong showing for the first-term incumbent. The Missouri Democrat's campaign released the numbers on Tuesday. Candidates are required to submit their fundraising reports to the Federal Election Commission by April 15.
McCaskill raised $1.05 million in 2011. Her campaign also reported that she had nearly $1.8 million cash on hand. Elected in a strong Democratic year in 2006, McCaskill is one of the GOP's top targets in 2012.
In recent weeks she's been dogged by a series of revelations about use of a private plane in which she and her husband have part ownership. Several Republicans have shown interest in running against her.
University City to Crack Down on Juveniles in Delmar Loop
Officials in both St. Louis and University Cityare fed up with juveniles harassing patrons of the Delmar Loop, and they're promising action to bring it to an end. Leaders of both cities met Tuesday at Blueberry Hill, the restaurant that famously hosts monthly concerts by rock legend Chuck Berry. Officials say police patrols will be increased. Some are even suggesting an earlier curfew.
The action comes after a police officer suffered a minor injury while trying to break up a fight Saturday night.
