Politics

This week: why Boone County leaders are asking for a 3/8 cent sales tax in April. Plus, economists and business owners in Mid-Missouri react to President Barack Obama’s goal of increasing the national minimum wage to 9 dollars an hour.

Missouri legislators are cutting their work week short because of concerns about a winter storm.

The House and Senate usually meet from Monday until mid-day Thursday each week. But the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch from late Wednesday through Thursday for most of Missouri. The forecast calls for a mixture of ice and snow, depending on the location.

City Council met Monday night to discuss plans for the $2 million dollar surplus funds, focusing primarily on Columbia's infrastructure.

Mayor Bob McDavid asked City Council members to use half a million dollars of the city’s surplus to restore the Blind Boone Home.

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler addressed the Columbia Rotary club today to discuss her ideas about how to address the national debt.

Hartzler believes spending plans need a vast renovation if Congress wants to improve the economy. In 10 days, congress could approve the sequester, which will cut funding for schools, medical research, and military defense in order to lower the deficit. Hartzler believes there are other ways around these cuts that would have a more positive impact on the economy.

Updated at 2:00 p.m. with quotes from State Reps. Mike Leara (R) and Stacey Newman (D).

Lawmakers proposing gun control legislation could end up in prison under a bill introduced by a Missouri House Republican.

Rep. Mike Leara, of St. Louis County, said Tuesday that he has no illusions that his bill actually will pass and become law.