http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/smsnamecha_1293.mp3
The legislation that would change the name of SMS to Missouri State University received a lot of attention in the Missouri legislature this week. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.
THE ACTION BEGAN IN THE SENATE WHERE OPPONENTS OF THE MEASURE ENGAGED IN A FILIBUSTER TO TRY TO KILL THE BILL.
THE FILIBUSTER ENDED WHEN BILL SUPPORTERS AND OPPONENTS REACHED AN AGREEMENT.
COLUMBIA SENATOR KEN JACOB AGREED TO STOP THE FILIBUSTER AND ALLOW A VOTE ON THE PROPOSAL AFTER THE BILL SPONSOR PROMISED TO PUT THE BILL ON HOLD UNTIL A BILL BENEFITING THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI SYSTEM GOES TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.
THE M-U BILL WOULD AUTHORIZE UP TO 200 MILLION DOLLARS IN BONDS FOR CAPITOL IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO THE LIFE SCIENCES.
THE CURRENT PROPOSAL WOULD SEND MONEY EXCLUSIVELY TO THE M-U SYSTEM.
BUT SMS PRESIDENT DR. JOHN KEISER SAYS HE WANTS SMS TO GET PART OF THE BOND MONEY.
WITH THE FILIBUSTER OVER, THE SENATE GAVE FIRST ROUND APPROVAL TO THE NAME CHANGE BILL BY A VOTE OF 27 TO 4.
KEISER SAYS HE'S NOT GIVING UP ON THE NAME CHANGE LEGISLATION BECAUSE IT'S STILL EARLY IN THE SESSION.
A SIMILAR NAME CHANGE PROPOSAL GOT ATTENTION IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK.
SUPPORTERS AND OPPONENTS OF THE BILL TESTIFIED FOR FOUR HOURS BEFORE THE HOUSE GENERAL LAWS COMMITTEE.
THE COMMITTEE APPROVED THE BILL BY A VOTE OF 7 TO 3.
DESPITE RECEIVING COMMITTEE APPROVAL, THE NAME CHANGE BILL HAS RUN INTO SOME OBSTACLES IN THE HOUSE.
FOR ONE, THE BILL HAD BEEN ASSIGNED TO THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE BUT WHEN IT LOOKED LIKE THERE WEREN'T ENOUGH VOTES TO GET THE BILL APPROVED, SUPPORTERS SUCCEEDED IN GETTING THE BILL ASSIGNED TO ANOTHER COMMITTEE THAT WAS MORE SUPPORTIVE OF THE NAME CHANGE.
NOW THAT THE MEASURE HAS COMMITTEE APPROVAL, IT MOVES TO THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR DEBATE.
BUT THAT COULD PRESENT ANOTHER CHALLENGE FOR THE BILL.
SEVERAL DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS WHO HAD SIGNED ON TO THE MEASURE ARE NOW WITHDRAWING THEIR SUPPORT.
THEY SAY THEY DON'T WANT TO HELP THE UNIVERSITY WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION HAS RESISTED ADDING SEXUAL ORIENTATION TO THE SCHOOL'S NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY.
THE BILL COULD COME TO THE HOUSE FLOOR AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.
I'M MISSY SHELTON FOR KSMU NEWS.