Legislative Leaders Call On Governor To Sign Budget

A meeting of the minds in Jefferson City as Governor Bob Holden met today with Senate Leader Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau and House Speaker Catherine Hanaway of Warson Woods to discuss the $19-Billion budget approved by the Legislature and sent to the Governor. Kinder and Hanaway urged the Governor to sign the document. Holden has the option of vetoing the entire budget or using his line item veto to take out certain items he finds objectionable. Either move would trigger a special session of the General Assembly. Legislative leaders say that special session would cost taxpayers $100,000 per week. The regular session of the Legislature ends on Friday.