Budget woes, business incentives and ethics reforms top 2010 agenda for Missouri Legislature

Mo. lawmakers to convene session; budget top focus

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri lawmakers are back at the Capitol for their 2010 session that will focus on budget woes, ethics reforms and economic development.

The session begins at noon Wednesday and runs until May 14.

Because of resignations, there are five vacant House seats. Republicans control both chambers, outnumbering Democrats 87-71 in the House and 23-11 in the Senate.

State budget officials are warning that revenues likely will fall by about 6.5 percent during the current fiscal year, and rebound only slightly next year. That means lawmakers will be focused on cutting spending.

They’re also expected to consider new business incentives and new ethics restrictions on themselves following a year in which several colleagues were charged with or pleaded guilty to crimes.