JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Missouri Senate has quit early on the final day of its session, causing the demise of numerous bills.
Senate Democrats briefly relented Friday from a weeklong blockade to allow final approval of a bill reauthorizing $3.6 billion of annual health care provider taxes for the state's Medicaid program.
But that was the only bill they let come to a vote.
Conceding that nothing more could be accomplished, Senate Majority Leader Ron Richard moved that the Senate adjourn around 3:15 p.m. -- nearly three hours ahead of the 6 p.m. deadline.
The House is continuing to vote on bills. But all legislation pending in the Senate is now dead.
Senate Democrats stalled work to demonstrate their frustration about Republican passage of a bill limiting union powers earlier this week.