Republicans Threaten Override of Nixon Veto

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri lawmakers may try to override Gov. Jay Nixon's veto of a bill requiring public disclosure of budget cuts and creating an oversight panel for federal stimulus money.

When he spiked the bill in July, the Democratic governor said a section providing lawmakers keys to the Capitol dome posed a public safety problem. He said the public accountability sections were similar to ones included in other bills that passed.

But House sponsor Jason Smith calls Nixon's veto justification "bogus." He says the provisions scrutinizing expenditures and budget cuts are stronger than those in other bills.

House Majority Leader Steven Tilley says a veto override attempt is "a very, very strong likelihood."

Republicans would need Democratic help to reach the two-thirds vote necessary for an override.

Nixon Vetoes 18 Bills

WITH THE STRIKE OF A PEN

Governor Jay Nixon vetoed 18 pieces of legislation Monday, rejecting the repeal of a bingo tax, a payment exemption for renters in drastic circumstances and proposed changes to the public defender system.

Nixon also vetoed legislation that would have given lawmakers keys to the Capitol dome. House Bill 544 also included provisions to track federal stimulus money. In his veto letter, Nixon said that wasn't the reason he rejected the bill. He said the Missouri Accountability Portal was already codified by a different substitute. Nixon said he was not comfortable with approving keys to the Capitol because the provision could cause "potential harm to legislators, their constituents and our historic capitol building."

But Rep. Jason Smith, a sponsor of the legislation, wrote on his FACEBOOK page: "GOVERNOR NIXON VETOED my HB 544 today.....I guess he is not a strong advocate in allowing Missouri Citizens to watch how their tax dollars are being spent...the house passed this bill 143 to 10 and the senate passed it 33-0.....Come on NIXON!!!."

Nixon also vetoed potential changes to the public defender system, which would have allowed the state to hit up private attorneys to handle an overburdened caseload. "It is clear to me that that the problem is one of resources, not only for the Public Defender System, but all participants in the criminal justice system," Nixon wrote in his veto letter.

The bill was championed by Sen. Jack Goodman, and The News-Leader's Chad Livengood reports that Greene County prosecutor Darrell Moore lobbied for the veto. Moore and Goodman are Republican rivals in the 7th District race for Congress.

Read Nixon's last-day signatures and vetoes HERE.

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ALSO: The Governor signed a large education bill that gives schools the option of a 4-day week, requires elementary students have at least 30 minutes of physical activity, creates a mentoring program for students and forces each public school to develop teaching standards by June 2010.

House Votes To Make 'Em Run

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Missouri House passes legislation requiring a special election to fill openings for statewide offices.

Currently, the governor can appoint people to fill vacancies for offices such as attorney general, secretary of state and U.S. senator.

Much of the debate Thursday focused on the 2010 Senate race, which so far features Secretary of State Robin Carnahan and U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt. House Democrats assert that Carnahan, a Democrat, will win and that Republicans are trying to block Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon from appointing someone to be secretary of state.

Sponsoring House member Jason Smith, a Republican from Salem, says problems with political corruption in Illinois demonstrates the need to make sure Missourians decide who governs them. Smith says his bill has nothing to do with the 2010 Senate race.

Make 'Em Earn It

Salem Rep. Jason Smith has filed legislation that calls for special elections when filling a vacancy for any statewide office.

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Right now, the law only requires an election when a vacancy occurs for Lieutenant Governor. In the event of other vacancies, current law states the Governor chooses the replacement by appointment.

HB681 would require an election --- rather an appointment by the Governor --- for the offices of Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Auditor and State Treasurer.

*The next potential vacancy that may arise is if Secretary of State Robin Carnahan wins the 2010 U.S. Senate race. Right now, if her candidacy is successful, Governor Jay Nixon would pick her replacement.*

In a release, Smith said his legislation would "ensure the people of Missouri have a stronger voice when filling a vacancy for any statewide office." "It makes little sense that vacancies for some offices would be filled by a special election while others would be filled by appointment,” said Rep. Smith. "Our statewide office holders should be approved by a majority of voters regardless of the circumstances involved."

Smith's bill has not yet been assigned to committee.