By Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio
Jefferson City, Mo. – Republican lawmakers in Missouri have sent letters to Governor Jay Nixon and Attorney General Chris Koster, both Democrats, regarding federal health care legislation in Washington.
The letter to Nixon asks him to "take action" against federal mandates the GOP says will result in financial disaster.
The letter to Koster urges him to oppose the so-called "Cornhusker Compromise," in which the GOP says Nebraska would be exempted from increased Medicaid costs as a result of their Democratic Senator, Ben Nelson, agreeing to support the bill.
Missouri House Majority Floor Leader Steven Tilley (R, Perryville) calls it unethical at best, and at worst, illegal.
"For them to get the votes they needed to pass it out of the (U.S.) Senate, they had to get (Louisiana Senator) Mary Landrieu $300 million, they had to build hospitals in Connecticut, they had to cut a deal where the taxpayers of Missouri are going to be having to pay Nebraska's share for generations, and forever!" Tilley said.
However, the Associated Press is now reporting that Senator Nelson is calling for all states to get the same exemptions promised to Nebraska, and that he did not ask for special treatment for his state.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Governor Nixon could not confirm receipt of any letter and declined comment.