Missouri Senate passes limits on municipal fines

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Minor traffic tickets and ordinance fines would be capped at $200 under a bill that has passed the Missouri Senate.

Senators voted 25-6 on Thursday to send the bill to the House. Four Republicans and two Democrats voted against it.

Bill sponsor Sen. Eric Schmitt said some towns in St. Louis County use minor citations to extract as much revenue as possible from their residents. The St. Louis County Republican said that tactic has trapped some people in a cycle of poverty.

Sen. Jill Schupp is a St. Louis-area Democrat who voted against the bill. She said state government shouldn't tell cities what is and isn't appropriate to keep their communities safe and clean. She said voters in those municipalities already have the power to change unfair ordinances.