Crowell part of escalating Missouri Capitol dome dispute

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A dispute is escalating over tourist access to the dome of the Missouri Capitol.

The dome is accessible to the public only through state officials who have access to a limited number of keys.

Last year, Republican Sen. Jason Crowell, of Cape Girardeau, passed a law requiring the Office of Administration to provide a dome key to each lawmaker. That hasn't happened yet.

Instead, the Office of Administration in September proposed a dome tourist policy that would ban people younger than 12 and require older children to be accompanied by a parent.

Crowell responded Thursday by filing a resolution to kick the Office of Administration out of the Capitol.

Administration Commissioner Kelvin Simmons says he hopes to negotiate a dome policy that provides access in a safe manner.