Senate moves to block big-ticket buys like the governor's plane in the future
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Senate moves to block big-ticket buys like the governor's plane in the future

Date: March 5, 2013
By: Wes Duplantier
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SB236

Intro: 
Republicans in the state Capitol are still steaming about the Democratic governor buying a new plane last year. Now they're working to make sure he can't do it again.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The Republican-controlled state Senate is backing a bill that would make the State Highway Patrol get permission from the legislature before buying equipment that costs more than $150,000.

The Highway Patrol was the agency that bought the governor's new twin-engine plane last year--for $5.6 million.

Republican Senator Brad Lager, of northwest Missouri, says state agencies should have to check with lawmakers before spending that much cash.

Actuality:  LAGERP.WAV
Run Time:  00:10
Description: "What we did not want to set up was a new system by which the new practice became purchasing something through the revolving fund and then notifying the Legislature after the fact."

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Wes Duplantier. Newsradio 1120. KMOX.

Intro: 
Republicans in the state Capitol are still steaming about the Democratic governor buying a new plane last year. Now they're working to make sure he can't do it again.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The Republican-controlled Senate is backing a bill that would make the state highway patrol ask the legislature for permission before making big-ticket buys. The patrol paid for the governor's plane last year, with a $5.6 million price tag.

That new rule is getting support from some Democrats, like Senator Paul LeVota. He says lawmakers should've been told about the plane purchase before it happened.

Actuality:  LEVOTAP.WAV
Run Time:  00:13
Description: "The worst part of it was that our appropriation chair wasn't informed. It's a communication issue more than anything else. More than a transfer of money or a misappropriation or anything. It's embarassing that that even happened."

\Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Wes Duplantier. Newsradio 1120. KMOX.