Missouri House Budget Committee staying late to pass budget bills

COLUMBIA — The state House Budget Committee is expected to remain in a hearing until late Wednesday night in order to pass the fiscal year 2010 budget bills out of committee before the House convenes at 10 a.m. Thursday.

The 29-member committee is reviewing and voting on more than 120 bill amendment proposals. As of 3:30 p.m., 41 amendment proposals were voted on and about a dozen were withdrawn.

The budget is expected to be available for a vote on the House floor by March 23, after legislators return from spring break.

Check back with the Missourian for a complete story tonight.