Lawmakers will return to Jefferson City in January for the regular 2014 session. However, the Missouri constitution leaves one more task to complete for us before the book can truly be closed on the 2013 session: the September veto session. This year, the governor has used his veto pen more freely than he did in past years. Excluding line item appropriations vetoes, he has vetoed 29 bills (including two vetoed when the legislature was still in session). This leaves the potential for more work than usual when the legislature gathers for the annual veto session. However, the number of bills is never a sure guide to how challenging or routine a veto session may be. Events completely unrelated to legislation may provide their own unique challenge, such as the year House members had to meet in the House Lounge for veto session, because their chamber was being remodeled, or the year a senator was called up for duty in the Missouri National Guard.

Veto Session: When and Why

Article III, section 32, of the Missouri Constitution requires the General Assembly to reconvene on the "first Wednesday following the second Monday in September" - this year, September 11th- for the purpose of considering bills returned by the governor with his objections. The session is limited to ten days, and the only matter for action is vetoed bills. Veto sessions are now an annual occurrence, but before the original provision adopted in 1970 was amended, they were biennial. Prior to the changes in the 1970s, however, the long-standing practice of passing most bills at the end of session left the legislature without an opportunity to override gubernatorial vetoes, because the legislature had adjourned before the governor was required to sign or veto the bills. This explains a 121-year gap between 1855 and 1976 without a single veto override.

Even when it is rarely exercised, the authority of the General Assembly to meet and override gubernatorial vetoes is an important ability. James Madison noted that one of the great difficulties in "framing a government which is to be administered by men over men" was obliging "it to control itself." As a result, state and federal constitutions reflect a careful system of checks and balances. In order to check the legislature, the people have granted to the governor the power to veto legislation. At the same time, they have given to General Assembly the authority to override a veto in order to prevent the arbitrary use of the veto power without justification.  

Veto Session Process

The actual process for the General Assembly to approve an override is rather straightforward. In the Senate, the veto letters from the governor on Senate bills will be entered into the journal. Then, the calendar or list of vetoed Senate bills will be read in order. The sponsor of each bill will have the opportunity to move to override the veto. If the sponsor and supporters have mustered the necessary votes to approve an override in the Senate, then the bill will be sent to the House for a vote there. If a motion to override is not made in the originating chamber or the vote fails, the other chamber cannot take any action on the bill. However, if both chambers approve the override with the required majority, then the bill will become law.

It takes two-thirds of the elected members of each chamber to override a veto: 23 senators in the 34-member Senate and 109 representatives in the 163-member House. Republicans hold a 24-10 edge in the Senate and a 109-53 majority in the House. However, ten of the seventeen vetoed bills to be considered by the Senate originally passed with bipartisan votes of 30 or more.  Excluding appropriations bills, 13 House bills and 19 Senate bills were vetoed by the governor. From a list of vetoed bills by chamber, look below.      

A successful override is almost never an easy task. In fact, over almost 200 years, the General Assembly has overridden less than two dozen vetoes, eight of which have happened in the last four decades. In recent memory, legislators have voted to override no more than three vetoes at a single veto session (2003). For a historical list of successful veto overrides, look below.

How You Can Help

My votes during session are guided by the information I have on hand, the input I receive from you, and the best interests of the people of the 30th District. None of the bills I sponsored or handled this year were vetoed, but I have been reviewing those bills that were vetoed, including the specific objections raised by the governor.  What you think about these bills is very important to me. If you have the time to share your thoughts in your own words, it's greatly appreciated. Even if you simply register your opinion - whether you support or oppose a override - or only  have time to sign a message indicating you agree with a particular group's viewpoint, I appreciate the feedback. What matters most is your involvement in the process. You can contact me through the web form on my website or by e-mailing me directly at bob.dixon@senate.mo.gov.  

Sincerely,