Lawmakers head back to the Capitol after winter weather hiatus
Posted: 02.07.2011 at 7:53 AM
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri lawmakers are returning to the Capitol building after cutting short their work last week because of a severe winter storm.

The House and Senate both were scheduled to hold formal floor sessions Monday afternoon. Several committees also were scheduled to hold hearings Monday.

Last week, House and Senate leaders both wrapped up their work on Tuesday because of the storm. However, a few House committees held hearings, and the House held technical floor sessions. Despite wrapping up their week early, numerous lawmakers were trapped in the Capitol building last week because of treacherous travel conditions.

Meanwhile, a Missouri lawmaker wants the federal government to be required to balance its budget.

St. Louis Republican Dwight Scharnhorst's balanced budget resolution before the House Budget Committee Monday. It would amend the U.S. Constitution to add a balanced budget amendment.

The amendment would require the federal budget to be balanced within three years. Currently, 49 of the 50 states have such a requirement in their constitutions.

The federal budget is expected to run a deficit of $1.5 trillion this year.

The General Assembly passed a resolution in 1983 calling for a convention to amend the Constitution to add a balanced budget amendment, but needed 33 other states to do so. Only 31 did. Scharnhorst's resolution does not call for a convention.