A showdown on one of the Governor’s biggest priorities will come this week in the state senate. 

A filibuster earlier this session stopped the first attempt in the Senate to approve the sale of assets of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority. The governor wants to use the money for college and university buildings. Senate leaders say this is the week to get the bill through the Senate.  Long days are planned, long hours…

Sponsor Gary Nodler says he’s tried to negotiate with critics on both sides of the aisle, dealing with numerous reasons people oppose the idea…Senate leadership holds out the threat of shutting off debate and going to a vote.  But will it?  Nodler will only say there will be a vote and he expects the bill to pass.

Minority leader Maida Coleman would not be surprised if Republicans move to shut down debate.  She says it is the governor’s priority bill and "they work for the governor." 

The question is: are there enough votes to choke off debate and get a vote?  

Governor Blunt and his supporters have an important bargaining chip. Nodler says the list of projects won’t be debated until after a vote is taken on the MOHELA bill.

Coleman admits the Democratic caucus is split and she can’t control those who will dig in and fight.  Some right-to-life senators, including some Republicans, want the bill defeated or blocked because of fears some stem cell research might take place in some buildings the program would finance.  

Download Bob Priddy’s story (:61 mp3)