However, the University of Missouri system may still lose funds for capital improvements, including a variety of construction projects on the drawing boards at its four campuses.

This bill will not affect his case or the case of anyone currently on death row.

No taxes would be raised under the proposal approved Wednesday by the Senate Transportation Committee.

Instead, the plan would phase out the practice of diversion of fuel tax increases to agencies other than the Department of Transportation -- except for money that goes to the Mo. State Highway Patrol. The result would be annually about $60 million in transportation and the $200 million when fully implemented.

The bill also requires the Highway Patrol to keep all DNA evidence from felony cases in Missouri.

The demand for beef has risen across the nation due in part to the efforts of farmers throughout the state.

These plans are similar to the transportation plan that Gov. Holden introduced on Tuesday.

However, the bill leaves out the provision that prompted the bill: a provision that would limit the bill's application to those who have good cause for carrying a concealed weapon.

State lawmakers said they commend Holden's leadership for bringing the plan forward, but leading Republicans said they are skeptical of any tax increase plan passing this legislative session.

"I've not made a final decision on the case," Holden said. "But up to this point, I've seen no additional information that would indicate that we should not go forward."

Holden supports a proposal that would bar executions of the mentally retarded, but said it would not apply in this case.

"As I understand it, the definition of mentally retarded in the bills would not cover this case," Holden told reporters at the State Capitol.

Richardson was convicted in the 1991 murder of Julie and Robin Kerry, teenage sisters. He was scheduled to be die by lethal injection Wednesday at the Potosi Correctional Center, but a federal court issued a last-minute stay.

Reid calls the issue a state invasion of personal privacy. Encoding possibilities include accessing everything from DNA to checking account information.

Meanwhile, Missouri Gov. Bob Holden was expected to decide whether to go ahead with the execution of a mentally retarded man currently on death row.

The money would come from tobacco settlements.

Then, interest made from the fund would be spent on prescription drugs, smoking prevention and childhood education.

And the people will be able to vote on how to spend this money if the proposal goes through.