Proponents of the bill say this is a political decision to punish the board, which they say is biased.

Some lawmakers say they are surprised by the good attendance of term-limited legislators, but some say they have never seen so many disengaged lawmakers.

Proponents of the measure say it shows that the Springfield institution is not just a regional school anymore.

The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Deleta Williams, D-Warrensburg, said she believes the center would help service providers and agencies across the state provide better service and information for immigrants.

Other key bills--including the governor's "rainy day fund" proposal and the Cardinals stadium bill also haven't seen debate in either chamber.

Some of the biggest issues facing lawmakers have yet to get a full chamber debate including the state's operating budget, tax increases for transportation, using the state's emergency reserve fund, the St. Louis Cardinals baseball stadium, the governor's education accountability plan and elderly abuse.

When the House returns on April 1, it will start work on the budget at a later date than any seession in recent memory.

Despite the slow legislative action in a year when term limits will kick out nearly half the members, lawmakers have set one record -- introducing more bills than any other legislative session on record.

The measure now goes to the Senate, were there is pending a separate bill to fully legalize concealed weapons -- an idea rejected by Missouri voters a few years ago.

The gasoline tax increase was approved in 1992 to fund a 15-year highway expansion program that subsequently was abandoned by the Transportation Department.

Currently, the tax is set to expire in 2008.

The legislation now goes to the House. It cleared the Senate without a single vote in opposition.

The committee recommended using $75 million in reserve funds. The governor proposed $135 million. Use of the funds will require a two-thirds vote of both the House and Senate.

The committee also sent the state's $19 billion operating budget to the House, but too late for lawmakers to take it up before their spring break. As a result, full House action on the budget will be delayed until April -- the latest in at least a dozen years.

Members of the Boone county delegation led oppostion to the change, with debate centering around the proposal's motivation, impact and appropriateness. The bill would also change the name of three state colleges to make them universities.

The bill conflicts with a proposal by Gov. Holden to use Keno to fun K-12 education.

Supporters argue off-track betting is the only way to get a company to open a horse race track in the state.

The bill won preliminary approval by a 76-75 vote -- short of the 82 votes that will be needed to send the bill to the House.

The bill repeals the current law and requires insurance companies in Missouri that provide health benefit plans to provide more complete mental health coverage, including eliminating provisions in the law that allow health carriers to limit treatment for people with drug and alcohol addictions.

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Supporters of the bill emphasize the large amount of money that the general revenue fund would receive if this bill is passed.

The bill faces oppostion by many, including the Chamber of Commerce, who claims it will give Missouri a competitive disadvantage to bordering states and the Internet.

The bill is more restrictive than current law for people trying to sue a bartender or establishment that serves liquor.

The Senate defeated several amendments that would require bartenders to be trained to spot intoxicated persons.

Rep. Charlie Shields proposed the cuts for all academic subjects except science and math.

Sheilds says the tests will only be taken away for a year, until the state can find more money in the budget.

Rep. Denny Merideth, D-Caruthersville, proposed an additional 1 percent cut which the committee defeated. Members said their intent is to send the budget bills to the full House by the end of the week.

She says adults who fight chronic health problems today can help the younger generations from being overweight.

Her bill already has the consent of the Public Health and Welfare Committee and will soon face the full Senate for consent.

After a press conference on Monday, the governor said he plans on going ahead with the project, which he hopes will "expedite international cargo" between Mexico and Missouri.