SCOTT CITY CHAMBER HEARS UPDATE ON SENATE ACTION

SCOTT CITY -- State Sen. Peter Kinder had an informal lunch with a handful of Scott City Chamber of Commerce members Tuesday.

Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, was the featured speaker at the chamber's monthly meeting but only five chamber members attended. So Kinder presented his "State of the Senate" update, then fielded questions from those gathered.

Chamber President Shirley Young was interested in Kinder's plans to pursue legislation that would have banned partial-birth abortions. Kinder said the measure passed with overwhelming majorities in both the house and the senate but was vetoed by Gov. Mel Carnahan.

Kinder said he expects the issue to be revived in about two weeks when legislators will meet to discuss any vetoed legislation that they might attempt to pass over veto. Kinder said these yearly meetings are usually passive gatherings where little is done.

He said legislation in Missouri is rarely passed over the governor's veto -- maybe once every 20 years. But Kinder said he expects this meeting to "be a powder keg."

Kinder said he will attempt to push the legislation and hopes to gather the same support he had during the regular session. Kinder said the bill was passed in the senate with a 28-3 vote and in the house with 127 votes. He said those numbers far surpass what is needed to override a veto.

Vincent Fernandez of Blair Industries in Scott City asked Kinder what he could do about a sharp increase in the county's property taxes brought on by a state-ordered rate adjustment.

Fernandez said his property tax went up 25 percent this year through reassessment. He said he doesn't know anyone whose income has gone up 25 percent to match that tax increase.

Kinder said he would have to look into what he could do to help. He said he would research a recent lawsuit in Butler County where that county successfully sued the state for a lower tax index and subsequently a smaller tax increase.

Kinder also spoke about his opposition to a proposed 1-cent general sales tax increase that would be used to bolster the transportation department's floundering 15-year plan.