Fore!

The Missouri Senate adjourned early Tuesday to play golf. And the House’s top Republican is teed off by the move.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the General Assembly’s upper chamber wrapped its business up early so its members could play a round at the Lake of the Ozarks. The legislature is set to adjourn for the year on Friday.

House Speaker Ron Richard, R-Joplin, sent out a statement this afternoon lambasting the Senate’s recreational plans.

“With two and a half days left in this year’s legislative session, it surprised me to learn that the Senate adjourned early today to golf at the Lake of the Ozarks,” said Richard in a statement. “While I am pleased that Missouri tourism will benefit from their outing, there is still a considerable amount of priority items left undone in the Senate.”

Richard went on to say that there are numerous bills sitting idly in the Senate, including legislation aimed at bolstering economic development and authorizing drug testing for welfare recipients. Richard also pointed to constitutional amendments aimed at federal health care legislation.

Richard, who is term-limited from the House, is expected to move to the Senate next year. He is the only candidate in the race to replace Sen. Gary Nodler, a Republican from Joplin who is running for Congress.