Senate leaders say bipartisan efforts have made the legislative session a success. But they also admit partisan differences cast differing opinions about the extent of that success.
Senate President pro Tem Tom Dempsey of St. Charles points to bipartisan efforts on school transfers, a revised criminal code, a transportation tax, and various healthcare issues as indications of a successful session. Among the healthcare issues included in his list are the oral chemotherapy bill, the CBD Oil treatments for epilepsy seizures, the restoration of dental services for Medicaid recipients, and extension of the MoRX program through 2017.
Democratic leader Jolie Justus adds better funding for children’s services, lifting the ban on receiving food stamps by people with felony records, and funding for early childhood education to the bipartisan success list.
But Justus says the refusal of Republicans to expand Medicaid is a major setback for thousands of Missourians. She’s also critical of Republicans for tax cuts that Democrats say the state cannot afford, and the GOP focus on issues she considers “wedge” issues–attacks on labor unions and further restrictions on reproductive rights.
Here’s the news conference with Dempsey and Justus as well as Majority Floor Leader Ron Richard:
AUDIO: Dempsey, Richard, Justus 23:58
