The measure would reduce the state's current 0.10 percent blood-alcohol level to 0.08 percent. "We have no objection to 0.08," said Anheuser-Busch lobbyist John Britton.

Legislation to make Missouri a 0.08 state failed in the last five sessions of the General Assembly under heavy pressure from Anheuser-Busch and others in the alcoholic beverage and restaurant industries.

With Anheuser-Busch removing its opposition, Sen. Morris Westfall (R-Halfway), sponsor of this year's bill, is optimistic the measure will pass. "This is the best shape we've ever been in," Westfall said.

Under a new federal law, states that fail to adopt the 0.08 percent standard would lose 2 percent of their federal highway aid starting in 2004. The loss would increase to 8 percent by 2007.

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