With Republicans holding the “largest majorities” they have held in the history of Missouri’s legislature since the Civil War era, House Majority Leader John Diehl (R-87th Dist.) says he would like to see the GOP override every gubernatorial veto when lawmakers convene on September 11.
According to ABC News, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon (D) has “spiked 29 bills and used his line-item veto for four additional budget items this year.”
Among the bills killed were income tax cuts, “nullification of federal gun laws,” and legislation reining in public employee unions.
While the GOP’s stance is viewed as partisan by some, it is worth noting that Nixon’s vetoes were also about as partisan as vetoes can get. His justification for many of them were rote Democrat party talking points–“he warned that tax cuts would jeopardize education funding, the gun bill would violate the U.S. constitution, and the union requirements would burden public employees.”
Missouri House Speaker Tom Jones (R-110th Dist.) predicts GOP lawmakers “may be able to override an historic number of bills.”
Majority Leader Diehl added: “We’re going to override on as many things as possible, and if not, we’re going to bring them back next year.”
Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins.
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