Missouri Senate begins review of state government

E-mail suggestions ranged from reducing size of government to holding bake sale

Armed with almost 470 Missouri residents' e-mails, state senators Tuesday began looking at more ways to reduce the size and costs of government.

"A lot of people who are interested in education and making Missouri the best and brightest state that we possibly can" sent nearly 100 e-mails for the Education committee, chairman David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, said at the beginning of the first session.

Four more groups will meet today, on Retirement and Employee Structure, Social Programs, Tax Structure and Economic Development and, finally, the Courts and Public Safety.