Members of the Missouri General Assembly reconvened on Wednesday, Sept. 14, for the annual veto session. A successful veto override requires approval by a two-thirds majority in each chamber — 23 votes in the Senate and 109 votes in the House. This year, we considered 15 bills, 13 of which were overridden; no motion was made to override the governor on five additional vetoed measures from the 2016 regular legislative session.
By a vote of 29-2 in the Senate and 124-31 in the House, Missouri lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto of legislation I sponsored to exempt instructional classes given at dance studios, gymnastics facilities and other fitness facilities from being subject to sales tax. Specifically, Senate Bill 1025 seeks to restore instructional classes to the same designation as educational classes for tax purposes — the classification they held before the Department of Revenue reinterpreted a sales tax law in 2008. As I have said before, I do not believe it was ever the intention of the General Assembly to tax these types of classes, just as we do not tax other educational classes. I filed SB 1025 to prevent the DOR from inflicting further damage on Missouri’s business community and our hardworking families.
I am also pleased to say the Legislature voted to override the governor’s veto of House Bill 1631, which requires those wishing to vote in public elections to present a valid photo ID at the polls, such as a non-expired Missouri driver’s license or non-expired military license. If a voter does not have a valid ID, that person can still receive a regular ballot by signing a statement, under penalty of perjury, attesting they are who they claim to be. If no statement is signed, the voter can vote provisionally. As part of a compromise to ensure no eligible voter is disenfranchised, the state and all fee offices will be required to provide a free photo ID to any voter who does not possess one and any underlying documents necessary to obtain it. House Bill 1631 passed with a companion referendum (House Joint Resolution 53) that voters must approve in November in order for it to take effect.
Over the past few months, Missourians’ confidence in our election process has plummeted. From a shortage of ballots in St. Louis County to evidence of possible absentee ballot fraud, it is 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 toward restoring trust, confidence and integrity in the election system. I was proud to carry this important measure through the Senate, and I am hopeful Missouri voters will approve the photo voter ID measure in November.
For a complete list of vetoed bills, click here or visit www.senate.mo.gov and click on “Governor’s Action on Truly Agreed Bills” under the Legislation tab.
While some interim committees will continue to meet throughout the remainder of the year, the majority of our legislative work is done. The General Assembly will next convene on Jan. 4, 2017.