Missouri House speaker plans statewide tour

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones is hitting the road, planning to visit 20 cities this week to speak with voters and community leaders about the upcoming legislative session.

Jones plans to start his statewide tour on Monday in southeastern Missouri. He will going to Perryville, Cape Girardeau, Sikeston, Poplar Bluff and West Plains. Jones then plans days in southwestern Missouri, central Missouri and northern and eastern Missouri.

State lawmakers return to the Capitol on Jan. 9 for the start of the 2013 legislative session. Jones, a Republican from Eureka, will lead a caucus with a two-thirds veto proof majority.