Start of legislative session marked by partisan controversy

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A special legislative session began Monday with House Democrats accusing Republicans of procedural deception.

Democratic leaders complained that majority Republicans had encouraged their own members to return to the Capitol on Monday while telling Democrats they could stay home until Thursday.

Democratic Gov. Bob Holden called the special session last week after vetoing budget bills dealing with education and human services.

In a May 28 letter to all House members, Majority Floor Leader Jason Crowell said they did not need to be at the Capitol until Thursday of this week, since the session's first few days would be largely technical.

But in a May 29 letter sent only to Republicans, Crowell encouraged his GOP colleagues to show up when the session began on Monday.

"Please come to the Capitol Monday if you can make it. Attendance and presence is desired, encouraged, wanted, requested and asked for on Monday," the letter said.

The notes were sent even as House Speaker Catherine Hanaway of Warson Woods and Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau were criticizing Holden's call for a special session because of the cost.

Missouri lawmakers receive an allowance of $75.20 per day on top of their regular salary. Those and other expenses associated with the session add up to $98,000 a week when all 197 House and Senate members are at the Capitol.

At the close of business Monday, 82 of the House's 163 members had checked in -- 60 Republicans and 22 Democrats. All but one of the state senators were present.

During a brief floor debate Monday, House Minority Floor Leader Mark Abel asked Crowell why he wanted Republicans at the Capitol sooner than Democrats.

Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, responded that the letter to Republicans was intended partly to correct any perception that they could not come to the Capitol until Thursday. He said he encouraged fellow Republicans to come to the Capitol because "we want our members to know what's going on."

Abel said he didn't see the need.

"It was just kind of strange that people who have been telling us how expensive it's going to be are encouraging their members to come up here Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and making sure they check in to get their per-diem expense," said Abel, D-Festus.

Abel said he would call House Democrats and advise them of the situation.

Although there was no rift in the Senate over the costs of the special session, Sen. James Mathewson, D-Sedalia, sponsored a measure allowing lawmakers to forgo their daily expense payments.

The measure was sent to a Senate committee for consideration.

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