Tobacco forces find more agreement

It appears the divisive issue of a year ago in the Missouri House will melt into bi-partisanship this year. Speaker Jim Kreider of Nixa and Republican leader Catherine Hanaway of Warson Woods are close to agreement on how to spend the billions coming Missouri’s way from the national tobacco settlement. Hanaway says the two agree the voters must be included. Roughly, the bill funnels money into health care programs, including anti-smoking programs. Last year, Democrats forced through a bill strongly opposed by Republicans. Republicans responded by bringing the session to a crawl which resulted in very few bills being passed.