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Adult entertainment billboards under attack in the House of Representatives.

February 24, 2004
By: Almitra Smith
State Capital Bureau

Missouri is one step closer to eliminating sexually suggestive billboards from state highways. Almitra Smith has more from Jefferson City.

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Lawmakers in the House of Representatives gave preliminary approval to a bill that would make it illegal to advertise sexually oriented entertainment near a state highway.

Supporters of the bill deny claims that the ban infringes on freedom of speech.

Representative Cynthia Davis is a St. Louis area Republican.

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Contents: "This has nothing to do with First Amendment, this has to do with what kind of image we want our state to have. They're allowed to have their freedom of speech just like the rest of us, but we're talking about protecting families here."

The bill still has to survive another vote in the House. If it does, it'll move over to the Senate, where a similar bill is pending. SOC.

A plan to keep sexually oriented advertisements away from Missouri highways is one step closer to becoming reality. Almitra Smith has the details.

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Some Lawmakers in the House of Representatives say having billboards for adult businesses dotting state highways gives Missouri a bad image.

The House gave preliminary approval to a bill that would ban most signs for sexually oriented businesses near state highways.

While no one is speaking up for the billboards, opponents like Rep. Curt Dougherty say the plan infringes on the first amendment.

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Contents: "I saw it as a freedom of speech issue, and a fact that we have an industry although you may or may not like it is legal and the billboards themselves are not obscene."

The bill still faces another round on the House floor before it is sent to the Senate. SOC.