Keaveny on HB 253: Our children's education should not be bartered for lower taxes

In his latest report. Sen. Joseph Keaveny, D-St. Louis, says Gov. Jay Nixon made the right decision when he vetoed HB 253.

As written in the Missouri Constitution, the Legislature's veto session is held on the Wednesday following the second Monday in September if the governor vetoes any bills during the regular legislative session. This year, the Legislature's veto session falls on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

Only the primary sponsor of a bill can make the motion to override the governor’s veto. If the bill receives a veto override in its originating chamber, the primary handler of that legislation in the other chamber may take it up for veto override consideration. Both chambers must vote to override a veto by a two-thirds constitutional majority.

One of the bills passed during the 2013 legislative session was HB 253, which would have dramatically increased tax burdens on Missouri citizens. I firmly opposed the legislation and was glad that it received a red X by the governor (click here to read the governor's veto letter of HB 253). I'm hoping the Missouri Legislature does not attempt to override the veto.

House Bill 253 was conceived as a way to compete with Kansas for the lowest income taxes. It's estimated that the bill would reduce state revenue by $500 to $800 million when fully implemented. To enact tax cuts when our state's foundation formula — Missouri's mechanism to fund elementary and secondary schools — is underfunded is poor policy. Our children's education should not be bartered for lower income taxes. Without quality education, the people who make up our state's workforce will lack the necessary skills to help grow our economy.

In addition, the governor announced on June 28 that he is restricting $400 million from the FY 2014 budget, due to several lawmakers' intent to override the veto of HB 253. The governor is quoted in an executive press release saying, "House Bill 253 is a fiscally irresponsible, ill-conceived experiment that would undermine Missouri's strong fiscal foundation and weaken our economy now, and for years to come. With a price tag of at least $800 million, House Bill 253 contains flawed provisions that would explode these costs immediately — to the tune of $1.2 billion — if Washington passes the Federal Marketplace Fairness Act."

Recently, I voiced my concerns alongside the governor at a news conference in Clayton, Mo., and stressed the negative consequences that would occur in Missouri if a veto override occurs. An override would have a devastating snowball effect on our economy. With a large hole in our state's revenue caused by HB 253, other state services would suffer because of funding cuts. I will stand firm in my opposition to HB 253 and remain supportive of the governor's veto.