By Dan Martin
Filed Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 2:40 PM
In the wake of the collapse of the Taum Sauk Dam in December 2005, and in the midst of spring flooding throughout the state of Missouri, the State Senate approved a bill yesterday that would toughen operating and inspection procedures for dams throughout the state.
Sponsored by Senator Kevin Engler (R-3), the bill passed through the senate with only a few opposing votes. Despite the overwhelming support received in the Senate, however, Engler did not seem optimistic about the bill's chances in the House.
"It will either be attacked and lessened or it will die," said Engler. He cited representatives with strong farming constituencies as the most prominent opponents of his bill, commenting that farmers worry about the bill impacting their own small irrigation dams.
Engler also indicated that he feels a lack of significant pressure on legislators to pass the bill, despite the events at Taum Sauk in late 2005. "As long as people don't call them on it, it's gonna be a tough paddle," he said.
Sponsored by Senator Kevin Engler (R-3), the bill passed through the senate with only a few opposing votes. Despite the overwhelming support received in the Senate, however, Engler did not seem optimistic about the bill's chances in the House.
"It will either be attacked and lessened or it will die," said Engler. He cited representatives with strong farming constituencies as the most prominent opponents of his bill, commenting that farmers worry about the bill impacting their own small irrigation dams.
Engler also indicated that he feels a lack of significant pressure on legislators to pass the bill, despite the events at Taum Sauk in late 2005. "As long as people don't call them on it, it's gonna be a tough paddle," he said.
Labels: State_House, State_Senate
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