(Missourinet) – Several Republicans filibustered the Missouri Senate well into Thursday morning over legislation they claim is a hand-out to investor owned utilities.

The legislation, which applies to regulated utilities Ameren Missouri, KCP&L and Empire District, allows them to upgrade their power grids while it also caps customer rate hikes.

Senators’ Doug Libla of Poplar Bluff and Rob Schaaf of St. Joseph often targeted various fellow Republicans, including Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard of Joplin, for favoring a bill that is opposed by numerous large employers in their districts.

Schaaf criticized the chamber for focusing on the utility measure instead of legislation that most Republicans agree would slash wages on public works projects.

“How come prevailing wage isn’t the bill that we’re right here negotiating right now,” said Schaaf.  “But no, we have to do a bill for Ameren, which has given $1.2 million to the politicians in this building.”

Schaaf later corrected himself, noting Ameren contributed more than $800,000, while the other two utilities donated the balance of the $1.2 million.

Republican Senators’ Bill Eigel of Weldon Spring and Gary Romine of Farmington also played roles in the marathon which was still going after 7 a.m. Thursday.