State lawmakers take a week off for their annual Spring break. The Speaker of the House looks back at the first half of this legislative session, saying there have been quite a few accomplishments. House Speaker Catherine Hanaway of Warson Woods lists accomplishments such as bills on ID theft and property tax relief for senior citizens. Topping Hanaway’s list: companion aimed at driving down the cost of medical malpractice insurance for doctors – tort reform. Republicans haven’t hesitated this year to use House rules to shut Democrats out of critical points in debate, times when the minority party could offer alternatives. Hanaway won’t apologize for such tactics. Still, when Hanaway was Minority Leader she voiced her displeasure when Democrats used such tactics against Republicans.
