State News briefs

Mo. Senate votes to repeal contribution limits

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) Senators voted to repeal Missouri’s campaign contribution limits Wednesday after turning back an attempt to allow public financing of political campaigns.

If the legislation passes both the Senate and House, individual contribution limits would be abolished as soon as Gov. Matt Blunt signs the bill into law. That means large checks could start flowing to candidates well in advance of the November general elections.

The repeal would affect only state candidates, such as those running for governor or the Legislature. Federal donation limits would remain in place for presidential and congressional candidates.

States probe brewers’ marketing of alcoholic energy drinks

ST. LOUIS (AP) Several state attorneys general have subpoenaed documents from Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. and Miller Brewing Co. as part of a probe into the companies’ marketing efforts for caffeinated alcoholic beverages.

The companies said late Thursday they are cooperating with the subpoenas and denied their alcoholic energy drinks targeted underaged drinkers, as dozens of attorneys general have alleged in the past.

“Anheuser-Busch is, of course, cooperating with the subpoenas,” the company said in a statement. “But it is important to realize that the AGs are investigating products whose formulation and labeling already have been approved by the federal authorities, as well as by those states that require state liquor authority approval.”

Judge rewrites ballot summary for stem cell initiative

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) A judge rewrote the ballot language Wednesday for a proposed constitutional amendment banning a particular kind of embryonic stem cell research after supporters claimed the state’s original description was biased.

The ruling marks the second time that courts have struck down ballot summaries prepared by Secretary of State Robin Carnahan for contentious initiatives.