The annual veto session has come to a close. After a long day on Sept. 11, the Missouri General Assembly was able to undo some of the vetoes made by the governor. In all, 29 measures were turned down by the governor, and the Missouri Legislature overrode 10 of those — a record number in the modern era.
The vetoes overridden include:

• Senate Bill 9, which modifies provisions relating to agriculture.

• Senate Bill 110 establishes procedures to follow in child custody and visitation cases for military personnel.

• Senate Bill 129, which establishes the Volunteer Health Services Act to allow for licensed health care professionals to provide volunteer services for a sponsoring organization.

• Senate Bill 170 allows members of public governmental bodies to cast roll call votes in a meeting if the member is participating via videoconferencing.

• House Bill 19, which provides supplemental funding for major additions and renovations, new structures, and land improvements or acquisitions. This includes $1 million for reconstruction of Pike-Lincoln Technical Center.

• House Bill 278 prohibits any state or local government entity, including public buildings, parks and schools, from banning or restricting the practice, mention, celebration or discussion of a federal holiday.

• House Bill 329, which changes the laws regarding financial institutions and increases the maximum fee from 5 to 10 percent on installment loans.

• House Bill 339 requires motorists to forfeit their recovery of noneconomic damages under certain circumstances.

• House Bill 650, which changes laws relating to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, including capping punitive damages assessed in health-related claims against underground mining operations.

• House Bill 1035, which is an omnibus political subdivision measure that creates the “Rebuild Damaged Infrastructure Program” to provide funding for the reconstruction, replacement, or renovation of, or repair to any infrastructure damaged by a presidentially declared natural disaster in Missouri.

Unfortunately, the votes were not there to override House Bill 253, a much talked about idea that would have cut personal income taxes over a 10-year period. There were a lot of goals that would have had to be met before the half-percent tax cut could have become reality. My understanding is there will be renewed attempts at cutting taxes again next session.

The same holds true for House Bill 436, which had huge support in our area. This is the proposal most often referred to as the nullification bill, because it would have helped to keep new federal laws that undermine the Second Amendment from being enforced in Missouri. Several of my colleagues are working on a better bill for next year.

I would also like to take time and let you know that a provision in Senate Bill 18 is now reality. Part of this new law requires the state to post budget withholdings made by the governor. You can see these on the Missouri Accountability Portal online at http://mapyourtaxes.mo.gov/MAP/Reserves/.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Thank you.