Lawmakers prepare for veto session
Posted: 09.14.2010 at 4:12 PM
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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- The Missouri Legislature will meet for its annual veto session Wednesday in Jefferson City.

Each year lawmakers meet and review the vetoes made by the governor during the previous legislative session. This year legislators will consider overriding the governor's veto of House Bill 1903.

The measure would establish two funds to receive federal money for budget stabilization and education. Those funds would be overseen by legislative committees, not the governor's office.

“That would potentially not only infringe on the governor's authority, but it would also potentially subject those funds to being spent based on political pressure. So that was one of the problems, where the authority resides,” said St. Rep. Rebecca McClanahan.

Nixon also said another portion of the measure violated the constitution.

“Any funds left in the educational category would have reverted back to the general revenue without any strings attached if it were not spent at the end of the year. And that would be inconsistent with federal law and the way that the requirements were made for that legislation,” said McClanahan.
 
She initially supported the bill.

“Because of those problems that clearly have a constitutional issue I would not vote to override the governor's veto. I think the governor made the appropriate call and has pointed out some things to us that I certainly wasn't aware of when I voted for the bill initially,” she said.

McClanahan says the federal money for both budget stabilization and education is still coming to Missouri. Its distribution will be overseen by the executive branch, unless the override passes in Wednesday's session.