With veto session coming up next week, there is much speculation on how things will play out.
Some veto sessions are short meetings of legislators who may not agree with the governor’s vetoes, but decide not to contest the legislative actions based on a variety of reasons.
Other veto sessions can become quite contentious, lasting the maximum of 10 calendar days, while lawmakers debate over issues they feel passionately about.
The length of the upcoming veto session, slated for Wednesday, Sept. 11, is anybody’s guess, but may last long enough to hear some lively debate. The governor vetoed 29 bills last session, and any of those bills could be brought up for possible override.
On the forefront is HB 253, a tax cut bill that has lawmakers on both sides preparing for a contest of wits. However, a two-thirds majority vote is needed to override a veto, and the House has the first opportunity to do so, since this particular measure originated in the House chamber. If the House garners enough support for an override, it will be up to the Senate to take up the legislation and decide on the fate of the bill.
Other bills that might be brought to light are HB 436, also known as the “Second Amendment Preservation Act,” which seeks to preserve citizens’ future gun rights beyond the federal level. This bill, if successfully overridden, may face further challenge in court.
These and other bills are slated for discussion in the coming week. It will be interesting to see how it all resolves.
Feel free to contact me throughout the year with any comments, questions, or issues by calling my office at (573) 751-5713 or by visiting my website at www.senate.mo.gov/brown.
Thank you for reading this column and for your participation in state government.
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