KINDER HELPS CRACK IMPASSE ON THE BUDGET

JEFFERSON CITY - It isn't often that a legislator participating in his first session has the opportunity to take the lead in breaking a deadlock to gain approval of the state budget. But Cape Girardeau Republican Peter Kinder did just that during a session of the Missouri Senate Wednesday morning.

The state's $10.8 billion budget, which was approved by the Senate, is contained in 12 appropriations bills that must be approved by both houses to be sent to the governor's desk. A weekend conference committee had resolved differences in House and Senate versions and the House approved all 12 bills.

But on HB-10 and HB-11, which have spending plans for the departments of health and social services, senators balked at compromise wording in the bills on the use of funds for abortions.

Previously, the Senate had added language requiring that $2.5 million in family planning money appropriated in the two bills couldn't be spent with agencies that promote or provide abortions.

But the House-Senate conference softened the wording, requiring only that the money not be directly used for abortions, abortion counseling or administrative costs. Senators defeated the two bills Tuesday, but House leaders said they had no intention of going back to conference.

Kinder, who is a staunch opponent of abortion, was one of 18 senators who voted to defeat the bills Tuesday. But on Wednesday, the 27th District senator offered motions to reconsider the bills and his colleagues voted 20-14 and 21-13 to approve the two spending bills.

"This was the toughest decision I've had to make," said Kinder, of Cape Girardeau. "I listened to arguments on both sides yesterday in lengthy debate, and I calmly and coolly reflected on my position and determined I could support the compromise and middle position taken by the conference committee," said Kinder.

After careful consideration and research of state statutes, Kinder said he was convinced that state law already prevents spending state funds for abortions and that the money for family planning is needed. He said that Missouri already had a very strict anti-abortion law that has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Said Kinder: "The bills contain money that is contracted to be used for family planning only. The bill specifically states that funds are prohibited by law for being used to perform abortions. I remain committed to my pro-life position and do not believe that supporting family planning with specific language prohibiting abortion compromises that position."

Later Wednesday, the Senate approved the final appropriations bill, bringing the budget process for fiscal year 1994, which begins July 1, to a close.

Gov. Mel Carnahan has until May 13, the day before the session ends, to approve or veto the spending. Carnahan said he anticipates taking most of the time available to him to review the budget.

The governor said he could accept the compromise language restricting the family planning money. "This was all a tempest in a teapot," said Carnahan.