House Leader Pleased With Pace Of Progress

State lawmakers return to the Legislature today from their Spring Break. Looking back on the accomplishments of the first part of the session, House Speaker Jim Kreider of Nixa is pleased. House members dealt with the $19-billion budget bill as well as bills lowering the state intoxication level, legislation providing for a financial incentive for teachers to gain national accreditation, and efforts to increase penalties for violations of the Sunshine Law. Kreider says that while he likes what has been accomplished, there are several important issues to be dealt with in the weeks ahead. Among them, what to do with the billions of dollars coming to the state from the national tobacco settlement.