A new plan giving the Legislature some more oversight of the Transportation Department – but not altering the authority of the Transportation Commission – has won first round approval in the Senate. But some Senators say it is a long way from what they want. Senator Matt Bartle of Lee’s Summit had wanted a politically-appointed Inspector general with broad investigative and auditing powers. He says the plan endorsed by the Senate will not improve public confidence in MoDOT. Senator John Russell of Lebanon strongly opposed a plan for a politically-appointed inspector general, and forced a re-write that watered down the oversight plan.