Missouri Senate room gets plasma screen TV

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The state Senate is spending nearly $20,000 to equip a committee meeting room with a new, 61-inch plasma screen television.

The equipment, which includes a videocassette recorder and DVD player, will allow legislators to view Powerpoint and other high-tech presentations. It can also be linked with the adjacent committee room, to allow overflow crowds to see and hear presentations.

The two rooms were renovated in 2000, but only one was equipped with a drop-down projection screen, and it's often tied up with budget hearings.

There was a demand from other legislative panels for the ability to see audio-visual presentations, Senate Administrator Michael Keathley said Friday.

The purchase is being made from a fund that holds fees paid to the Senate for such services as bill printing or copying services. The fund is separate from the general revenue budget, Keathely said.

The Senate Administration Committee, chaired by Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, approved the purchase in January. Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, did not immediately return a call Friday seeking comment.