By Missy Shelton
Jefferson City, MO – 
Lawmakers in the Missouri House left the state Capitol in Jefferson City at about 2:30 this morning (Wednesday).
They had just spent hours debating the 12 pieces of legislation that make up the state's $19 billion budget. In the end, lawmakers gave first-round approval to the budget.
The spending plan still needs one more vote in the House, which is expected later Wednesday. Missy Shelton prepared this report from Jefferson City.