State briefs 07/03/03

Commission approves transportation projects

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- More than $4.6 billion in spending for transportation projects over the next five years was approved Wednesday by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission.

About 700 projects will be built over the next five years for things such as bridges, railroads, waterways, aviation and public transportation.

The funding will cover the period that began Tuesday and runs through June 30, 2008.

The largest chunk of the funding -- $3.9 billion -- will be used for highway and bridge projects, the department said.

"Missouri's highways need more attention than ever due to increased traffic and aging roads and bridges," said Henry Hungerbeeler, director of the Missouri Department of Transportation. "This five-year program addresses many of our highest priority needs, including our increased emphasis on taking care of our existing facilities."

Hungerbeeler said tough economic times in Missouri will prevent the department from taking on more projects at the current time.

Conservation agents plan deer count in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The state conservation department is working with the city to formulate a response to increasing complaints about deer causing damage or accidents.

Missouri Department of Conservation spokesman Francis Skalicky said his agents are talking to residents to try and get a rough idea of how many deer are in the southwest Missouri city. Once that's determined, the department can talk to the city about whether a management plan is needed.

"We're just one voice here. If nobody says we have a problem, we're not going to step in and say, 'You need to have a managed hunt,'" Skalicky said.

City manager Tom Finnie and other city officials met with department representative several weeks ago to discuss the burgeoning deer population. The main emphasis was to educate the public to discourage people from luring the deer closer to suburban areas.

Workers' compensation rates to fall for some

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Workers' compensation premiums are set to decline for most Missouri businesses that participate in the state-run pool of last resort, Department of Insurance director Scott Lakin said Wednesday.

Companies that buy workers' compensation insurance through the state pool usually cannot find the coverage in the standard commercial market.

The rate reduction for the pool members is expected to average 0.4 percent -- a considerable contrast to the 14.4 percent average increase for private workers' compensation carriers.

"None of the data strongly suggests that rate increases" like those in the private market are justified, said department spokesman Randy McConnell. "The loss ratios have not been erratic or into the stratosphere."

Over the past four years, average rates for the pool have risen 10.2 percent.

-- From wire reports