JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Missouri Senate leaders have decided to delay moving the news media off the chamber floor because of cost concerns.

Senators had voted earlier this year to remove reporters from their longtime seats near the dais effective March 29. Media members were to instead work from a renovated section of a visitors’ gallery overlooking the chamber.

To complete the project by then would have added more than $44,000 in overtime costs to the price of $127,000.
A Senate panel cited those costs Monday while deciding to delay the move until after the session ends in mid-May. The postponement will require a formal rule change to be approved by the chamber.

Senators who originally supported the move had raised concerns about reporters overhearing their private conversations and posting details on social media.