House Democrats Blast Republicans Over Budget Battle

House Democratic leader Mark Abel of Festus criticizes Republicans for refusing to even consider any of the revenue enhancements proposed by Governor Bob Holden. Abel says Republicans are more interested in playing politics during the special session than they are in solving the state’s budget problems. He rejects the insistence of Republicans that ending certain tax breaks will cost the state jobs, zeroing in on the Governor’s proposal to end a break for businesses that avoid state taxes by holding residency in other states. Abel says he can only hope that the Senate will greatly change the budget bills coming its way from the House. The special session was called by the governor to consider raising taxes to avoid the cuts contained in the four budget bills he vetoed.