Governor’s vetoes not overturned; Senate holds ceremony honoring retiring members
Interim Committees Progress
Jefferson City — The Capitol was once again filled with lawmakers as the Legislature assembled this month for its annual veto session during the week of September 8. A September veto session is required by the state constitution if the governor vetoes any bills passed during the year’s legislative session. With three Senate bills, one House bill and line items in five budget bills receiving a governor’s veto, lawmakers gathered to consider these measures, though ultimately, they did not overturn any of the vetoes.
A two-thirds majority vote from both chambers is required to override a veto, while initial passage of any bill requires a simple majority. A vote to overturn a veto is a rare occurrence and hasn’t taken place since 2003 when legislators voted to overturn three governor’s vetoes, allowing Missourians to carry concealed weapons, barring lawsuits against gun manufacturing companies and requiring a waiting period for certain medical procedures.
Only Senate Bill 873 — which would have allowed a voting student member to sit on the University of Missouri Board of Curators should Missouri lose a congressional district based on the 2010 census — was put to a vote. However, the bill failed to receive enough votes for a veto override.
Several committee hearings were held the week of veto session. The Joint Committee on Capital Improvements and Leases Oversight, Joint Committee on Preneed Funeral Contracts, Senate Select Committee on Missouri Housing Trust Fund, Senate Select Committee on MoHealth Net Provider Rate Equalization, Joint Committee on Tax Policy, and Joint Interim Committee on Voice Communications Regulations all met to discuss various issues relating to their respective topics.
With all of the senators congregated in Jefferson City, the upper chamber took the opportunity to say goodbye to its retiring members. On Sept. 10, the Senate held a retirement ceremony for seven retired or retiring senators: President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons, Senate Minority Floor Leader Maida Coleman, Sen. Bill Alter, Sen. Chuck Gross, Sen. Chris Koster, Sen. John Loudon and Sen. Harry Kennedy.
This column is written on a monthly basis until December 2008, when it will be published more frequently. To follow these and other issues facing the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov. Visitors can research legislation, learn more about their Senate district, or watch video or listen to audio highlights of the Second Regular Session of the 94th Missouri General Assembly. The First Regular Session of the 95th Missouri General Assembly begins Jan. 7, 2009.
