The huge economic development bill ( HB 191 & SB 45 ) that has been filibustered in the State Senate could return to the floor of that chamber this week, but it probably won’t happen unless a deal can be worked out to end the stalling tactics and bring the legislation to a vote.
Senator John Griesheimer (R-Washington), who is leading the effort to get the bill through the Senate, is open to ideas.
"I think what we’ve got to do is sit down and try to figure out our next plan of action," said Griesheimer. "But also maybe try to work out some of the kinks of the bill maybe that the majority of the Senate I think could live with and then maybe bring it back up and try to get it passed another time."
Senator Jason Crowell (R-Cape Girardeau) has led the filibustering, and Griesheimer says other Senators will have to go to Crowell and one or two others and say enough is enough.
"We cannot let a small tyranny of a minority of Senators – not the minority party, but a small tyranny of a minority of Senators – block an important piece of legislation."
Five weeks remain in the legislative session.
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