Effort to Raise Prison Guard Pay Fails in House

An effort to give prison guards more pay fails in the House. A move to send House negotiators back to the bargaining table with the Senate fails by a vote. Representative Larry Crawford of Centertown presses Representative Quincy Troupe of St. Louis about reneging on his promise to fight for bigger pay hikes for guards. Troupe tells Crawford legislative leadership decided guard pay and they had cut Troupe out of the discussion. Lower paid guards will get a $1,400 dollar raise under the bill passing the House. Crawford wanted more to keep qualified people and lure more. Representative Glenda Kelly of St. Joseph says the state can’t afford it. The House agrees and keeps prison guard pay where negotiators left it.