Government

Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas House today approved a statewide smoking ban, paving the way for the bill to become law. The bill would ban smoking in restaurants, bars and most other businesses.

It has already passed in the Senate. On the House floor, Mission Hills Republican Barbra Bollier said it's an issue of health.

"While we continue to debate and debate, people are dying," said Bollier. "People are becoming ill. They are asking you to help them."

Kansas City, Mo. – Legislation that would ban indoor smoking in public buildings throughout Missouri is being considered by a State Senate Committee

Under the bill, smoking would not be allowed in restaurants, bars, sports arenas, businesses, or any other public building. Exceptions would be allowed for homes not used for daycare, tobacco shops and 20% of hotel rooms. Jason Sharp, who works with cancer patients in Rolla, spoke in favor of the bill before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Kansas City, Mo. – Missouri lawmakers conducted a hearing on legislation that would bar the State Gaming Commission from revoking the license of a casino for underperforming financially.

The bill was filed in reaction to the Gaming Commission's decision to revoke the license of the President Casino in downtown St. Louis. Among those testifying in favor of the bill was Mack Bradley of Pinnacle Entertainment, the company that owns the President Casino and the vessel where it's housed, the Admiral Riverboat:

Jefferson City, Mo. – A bill in the Missouri Senate would raise the fine for driving without a seat belt from $10 to $50.

The bill is sponsored by Democratic Senator Joseph Keaveny of St. Louis. He says since Missouri does not have a primary enforcement law, raising the fine for not buckling up is the next best solution.

"At ten dollars, it's not much of a deterrent not to use a seat belt. If a person is charged 50 dollars for failure to use a seat belt, it get a little more attention," says Keaveny.

Kansas City, M0. – As many as 25 hundred people fled the main federal office building in downtown Kansas City this afternoon. Fire in a basement electrical system produced acrid smoke.

Firefighters attacked the fire for half an hour with CO2 extinguishers as occupants of the Bolling Office Building used stairways to get out. Fire Marshal Floyd Peoples said no one was seriously hurt, although some complained of difficulty breathing.

The building was closed for business the rest of the day.

Kansas City, Mo. – The Pew Center for the States finds that state pension funds have promised retirees $1 trillion more than they have on hand to pay. Missouri's pension system is in relatively sound shape, but the one in Kansas is among the most troubled in the nation.

Kansas City, Mo. – The Missouri Senate has given first-round approval to a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow laws requiring DNA collections from criminals to be applied retrospectively.

The Missouri Constitution forbids retrospective laws that mandate new restrictions or requirements based on past actions.

The sponsor, GOP Senator Matt Bartle of Lee's Summit, says an exception needs to be allowed for collecting DNA samples from criminals.

Topeka, Kan. – Democratic State Senator Tom Holland has officially entered the race for governor. He kicked off his campaign with a rally in Topeka and an attack on the presumed Republican nominee.

State Sen. Tom Holland, of Baldwin City, suggested that U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback would bring gridlock and partisanship from Washington to Topeka. Brownback is the only GOP candidate campaigning.