The Senate on Thursday rejected a Republican attempt to defang consumer protections in a sweeping Wall Street reform bill, while voting to give small banks a break on deposit insurance.

The U.S. Senate on Thursday rejected a Republican attempt to defang consumer protections in a sweeping Wall Street reform bill, while voting to give small banks a break on deposit insurance.

The state Senate approved legislation Tuesday that could give Missouri residents a chance to vote on the federal health insurance mandate.

The Florida Senate has got its property insurance reform bill back on the track. After being hung up in debate by amendments on Thursday, Sen. Garrett Richter ironed out some confusion on a timeline when homeowners would be paid on losses and also agreed to a sinkhole provision and got the bill passed on a 32-4 vote.

The president of the Massachusetts Senate is proposing a compromise to the ongoing dispute between the state and health insurers about setting premiums.