Bill counting state employees advances

Departments would report how many

With little debate Wednesday or Thursday, the Missouri Senate voted 32-0 Thursday morning to send the House a bill requiring all state government departments to report, four times each year, the number of people they have on the payroll.

Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, told colleagues Wednesday the formal reports would go the president pro tem and House speaker, with electronic copies available to all other lawmakers, and "be posted on each department's website."

Gov. Jay Nixon told reporters Thursday morning he's not sure the bill is a good idea.

"Folks can go on the (Missouri Accountability) Portal right now and see every state employee, how much they're making and where they're working," Nixon said. "I think we have a lot of information out there.

"But, if folks want that in a different format, I'm certain that we can work with folks to get it in a different format."