Senate Successfully Overrides the Governor 13 Times
Governor is the Most-Overridden Top Official in the Show-Me State’s Modern History
JEFFERSON CITY— On Wednesday afternoon, the annual veto session got underway in the Missouri State Capitol. Legislators returned with high hopes of overriding the governor’s vetoes.
In all, 13 bills received the two-thirds majority needed for the veto override making the governor the most overridden governor in Show-Me State history.
Senate Leader Ron Richard, R-Joplin, said he wasn’t surprised about the number of successful overrides. He believes the Legislature is striving to do what is best for Missourians.
“We worked hard this session, and sometimes it gets discouraging when your hard work gets vetoed,” said Richard. “However, we know it’s not over until after veto session. We don’t stop working in May. Any policy we pass has the good will of the state of Missouri in mind. I’m proud of the work we do in the Senate.”
One of this session’s biggest successes was advancing House Bill 1631, handled by Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit. The bill requires voters to submit a government-issued form of identification in order to vote in a public election. The bill passed with an overwhelming majority in both the Senate and House, and legislators once again showed their unwavering support by overriding the governor’s veto.
“Over the past few months, Missourians’ confidence in our election process has plummeted,” said Kraus. “From a shortage of ballots in St. Louis County to evidence of possible absentee ballot fraud, it’s clear the integrity of our election process is at risk. We want to ensure that every vote counts. Overriding the governor’s veto of House Bill 1631 is a step towards restoring trust, confidence, and integrity in the election system.”
The bill will not go into effect unless Missouri voters approve House Joint Resolution 53 in November. If passed, the joint resolution would make Missouri the 17th state to require a photo identification to vote.
The Senate also successfully overrode the veto of Senate Bill 656, sponsored by Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown. The measure frees every law-abiding Missourian to use their constitutional right of self-defense will make the state safer. It also changes the law to allow you to protect yourself and your family in public. Current law requires you to run from an approaching attacker and not defend yourself.
“Missourians have a fundamental right to self-defense,” said Munzlinger. “States like Alaska, Arizona, and Wyoming have seen their murder rates drop by as much as 23 percent after adopting constitutional carry. Vermont is virtually surrounded by higher-crime states like New York and Massachusetts, yet Vermont’s crime rate has remained among the lowest in the nation for decades. The facts just don’t add up for the ‘Wild West’ claims. Overriding the governor’s veto on Senate Bill 656 will make it easier for every law-abiding citizen to protect themselves and their loved ones.”
Earlier in the spring, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 641, sponsored by Sen. Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, which states that disaster payments should not be subject to state income taxes. The bill was later vetoed by the governor, but the General Assembly was successful this week in the override. The direct and indirect effect of the 2012 drought has been felt by the Missouri cattle industry for the past several years. Senate Bill 641 will finally provide some relief.
“Taxing the payments would undermine the very effect the program is trying to achieve,” said Schatz. “The income tax refunds will come at an opportune time for cattle producers in Missouri. The refunds will also be spent in local communities at a benefit to not just the cattle farmers, but the entire industry.”
Also overridden by the Legislature:
- Senate Bill 608 – modifying provisions relating to health care
- Senate Bill 844 – modifying provisions relating to livestock trespass liability
- Senate Bill 994 – modifying provisions relating to alcohol
- Senate Bill 1025 – exempting instructional classes from sales tax
- House Bill 1414 – exempting data collected by state agencies under the federal Animal Disease Traceability Program from disclosure under Missouri’s sunshine law
- House Bill 1432 – requiring a hearing to be held within 60 days if a state employee is placed on administrative leave
- House Bill 1713 – requiring the Department of Natural Resources to provide information regarding advanced technologies to upgrade existing lagoon-based wastewater systems to meet any new or existing discharge requirements
- House Bill 1763 – changing the laws regarding workers’ compensation large deductible policies issued by an insurer
- House Bill 1976 – changes the laws regarding service contracts
- House Bill 2030 – authorizing a tax deduction equal to fifty percent of the capital gain resulting from the sale of employer securities to a certain Missouri stock ownership plans
The Senate will next convene on Jan. 4, 2017. Majority Floor Leader Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, said the next few months will be spent preparing for next session. Pre-filing of bills begins on December 1, 2016.
“We don’t take much of a break in this building,” said Kehoe. “The men and women who dedicate their time, energy, and passion do so because they have a love for the state of Missouri and a love for its people. We are looking forward to getting started on next year’s legislation that will help move the Show-Me State in a positive direction.”
To learn more about the vetoed bills, visit www.senate.mo.gov.