Monday, September 08, 2014

Stacey Newman: I will not vote to override any Nixon veto

(In her latest report, Rep. Stacey Newman, D-St. Louis, previews the upcoming veto session.)

In less than 48 hours , the state legislature convenes to consider one last vote on any bills vetoed by the Governor.

At 11am Wednesday, September 10th, the fireworks will continue. The GOP majority may bring up a total of 33 bills and 160 budget line-items that Governor NIxon rejected earlier in the legislative session. Because of the number of vetoes to consider, Veto Session may unusually last for several days.

A 2/3 majority is needed to override any vetoes = 109 in the House and 23 in the Senate. After swearing in new members elected in August special elections, the GOP House will number 110. Currently the GOP Senate numbers 23 - the exact number they need for any override.

I will not be voting to override any veto.

Pay attention to these:

1) 72 HOUR ABORTION DELAY

HB 1307 would change the minumum waiting period to 72 hours before a woman may seek an abortion. If overridden, Missouri would join Utah and South Dakota in having the strictest limits on abortion procedures in the country. Note: HB1307 does NOT include any exemptions for rape or incest.

Final House vote May 14th: 111-39. Final Senate vote May 14th: 22-9. (with absences)

GOVERNOR NIXON'S VETO LETTER HERE. " HB1307/1313 is a disrespectful measure that would unnecessarily prolong the suffering of rape and incest victims and jeapordize the health and wellbeing of women."

I will be arguing against the override ---if I'm recognized to speak.

2) OPEN CARRY & SECRETLY ARMING TEACHERSSB 656 would abolish any local ordinance against open carrying of guns and allow anyone with a CCW license to open carry any gun anywhere. SB 656 would also allow school boards to designate teachers to be armed but restricts that information from being public to parents, students and the public.

Final House vote May 16th: 111-28. Final Senate vote May 15th: 21-7. (with absences)

GOVERNOR NIXON'S VETO LETTER HERE "I have consistently opposed arming teachers as a mean to keep schools safe. It is simply the wrong approach and one that I do not support."

I will be arguing against the override ---if I'm recognized to speak.

3) FRIDAY FAVORS

We expect top targets for potential veto overrides include 10 bills passed on the last day of session that provide special tax breaks for certain businesses. These bills would cost the state $425 million in lost revenue (which was NOT accounted for in the 2015 budget we passed in May) and cost local governments another $351 million per year in lost revenue.

We call these bills "Friday Favors" because they were passed without public hearings or debate on the last day of session May 16th.

4) BUDGET LINE ITEM VETOES

We do not know yet if individual veto override votes must be taken on each of the 160 budget line-item vetoes. However, we DO know that per Missouri Constitution, we must have a balanced budget. The "Friday Favors" reduced our 2015 budget significantly.

Even with state revenue up slightly by 4.3 percent so far in the first few months of fiscal year 2015, our budget is far from balanced. Governor Nixon still retains the authority to withhold funds or direct departments not to spend particular amounts.

Stay tuned...

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