A VIEW OF IMPORTANT LEGISLATION AS SESSION WINDS DOWN

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Rounding the turn into the last six weeks of this year's legislative session before the May 18 adjournment, here is where some of the crucial issues lie:

Transportation plan

This one made it through the House Thursday by a vote of 83-71, or one vote more than the constitutional minimum necessary for passing a bill. Only two Republicans in the closely divided chamber voted yes, while only four Democrats voted no. It provides for increases of 5/8 of a cent on the general sales tax and three cents on the fuel tax plus 33 percent higher vehicle registration fees. Total price tag is $747 million, or three-quarters of a billion dollars.

In addition to funding highways, ports and airports, $100 million would go for mass transit. The bill would also end the diversion of about $175 million in annual fuel-tax revenue into other, non-transportation departments of state government.

The bill is newly arrived in the Senate for debate beginning with committee action in a few days. Opposition is fierce, and the margin for error -- see the House vote -- is slim.

Urban business interests are pushing hard for the bill. In whatever form, if it contains higher taxes, the final measure will have to go to a vote of the people. Approval by the voting public is anything but certain.

Tobacco fees

This writer's bill is out of committee with a unanimous, bipartisan vote and awaits floor action.

Opposing trial lawyers, in on a $480 million payday for five months' work the biggest rip-off in 180 years of Missouri statehood are battling me fiercely, pledging a filibuster.

Cardinals stadium

The bill is in committee on the Senate side with committee action slated for this Tuesday night. A similar bill should come out of a House committee this week.

St. Louis home rule

A constitutional amendment sought for decades by civic leaders sailed through the Senate 32-0 and is in the House, where strong opposition from the Black Caucus threatens it.

Puppy mills

A House version died in committee, while the Senate bill came out of committee easily. When it hit the floor this past week, at least three rural senators were waiting for it, signaling a filibuster and pledging undying opposition.

State budget

Work on the record $18.5 billion state budget is well ahead of schedule, thanks to especially hard work and long hours by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Approval is expected long before the May 11 budget deadline.

Another priority this session is state Sen. Marvin Singleton's prescription-drug plan for low-income senior citizens.

This bill will subsidize up to $6,000 worth of prescription drugs for approximately 93,000 senior citizens at a cost of $2 to $20 per prescription. Anyone meeting the income qualifications is eligible for the state program.

~Peter Kinder is assistant to the chairman of Rust Communications and president pro tem of the Missouri Senate.