In her latest report, Rep. Stacey Newman, D-St. Louis, assesses the just-completed veto session.
House Speaker Tim Jones said it couldn't be done. He was wrong.
The Democratic-led defeat of the two highest profile and dangerous bills on the veto session agenda is victory for responsible government. Several national news media were in the Capitol covering the veto votes live, including the New York Times and Al Jazeera America. Almost every major national news, including Huffington Post, CNN and MSNBC, reported the gun bill defeat live as soon as it came in.
109 House votes and 23 Senate votes were needed to override each veto.
1) HB436 = "THE MOST EXTREME GUN BILL IN THE COUNTRY"
The NRA officially remained silent but a group of gun rights supporters (sponsored by who else?) rallied at the Capitol before Veto Session began. HB436 is an unconstitutional gun nullification bill that would have turned law enforcement officers into criminals and made victims out of criminals while shredding the First Amendment rights to free speech and freedom of the press.
The House voted 109 - 49 to override with 3 who voted PRESENT: Galen Higdon (R-St. Joseph), John Mayfield (D-Independence) & Jeff Roorda (R-Barnhart).
3 Democrats voted YES: Mike Frame (Eureka), Ben Harris (Hillsboro), Ed Schieffer (Troy).
2 Republicans voted NO: Jay Barnes (Jefferson City), Noel Torpey (Independence).
EVERY REBUBLICAN FROM THE ST. LOUIS AREA VOTED YES.
The Senate voted 22-12 to override with 2 Republican Senators casting the ultimate deciding NO votes: Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey (St. Peters) & Senate Majority Floor Leader Ron Richards (Joplin). DEFEATED BY ONE VOTE.
There are many who worked hard to defeat the bill: Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, Missouri Moms Demand Action, St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson, Mayors Against Illegal Guns including St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, CREDO Action, Progress Missouri, Brady Campaign Against Gun Violence, Gabby Giffords and Capt. Mark Kelly via Americans for Responsible Solutions, Burt Newman and St. Louis Lawyers Group, and more.
But don't get too complacent. Several days ago HB436 sponsor, Rep. Doug Funderburk (R-St. Peters) said he is working with Senators Dempsey/Richards on a NEW and IMPROVED gun rights bill to land on the Governor's desk in early 2014. READ HERE.
2) HB253 = "The $800 Million Tax Giveaway to Corporations/The Wealthy & $200 Million Prescription Drug Tax Increase"
This bill was Speaker Jones 2013 legislative priority funded by local Rex Sinquefield (he spent over $2 Million) but was outlobbied by Governor Nixon, public education, mental health and social services groups. It was acknowledged however that the bill contained numerous negative consequences. After Rep. John Diehl cut off floor debate, the House DEFEATED it by 94-67.
15 Republicans voted NO (along with every Democrat) and are already facing backlash by Speaker Jones: Sue Entichler (Boliver), Paul Fitzwater (Potosi), Dennis Fowler (Advance), Lyndall Fraker (Marshfield), Elaine Gannon (DeSoto), Kent Hampton (Malden), Jeff Messenger (Republic), Lynn Morris (Nixa), Donna Pfautsch (Harrisonville), Don Phillips (Kimberling City), Craig Redmon (Canton), Lyle Rowland (Cedarcreek), Mike Thomson (Maryville), Nate Walker (Kirksville) and David Wood (Versailles).
EVERY REPUBLICAN FROM THE ST. LOUIS AREA VOTED YES.
15 REPUBLICANS WERE WILLING TO BUCK THEIR PARTY AND SUPPORT THEIR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS BUT WERE NOT WILLING TO BUCK THE NRA.
Comments from Rep. Lyle Rowland, a former superintendent: I voted against HB253; the only one I voted against. My reasons for voting against it were never talked about on the radio, television, newspapers, or mailers. My reasons were: 1. Possible severe cuts to education, both K-12 and college & university. 2. Possible severe cuts to senior services (meals on wheels, home health, etc.) and to mental health.3. Taxing prescription drugs. (I had a hard time believing this was a “cutting taxes” bill when we were adding this part.)4. Taxing of propane, firewood, and wood pellets (several people in my district heat with these).5. The bill sponsor stated openly that there were problems with parts of HB 253 but they “could be fixed” next session. I simply wasn’t willing to vote yes on a “government promise.”
We were also instrumental in blocking two useless and generally nutty bills that sought to solve non-existent problems by creating real problems for local governments and our courts:
3) SB265 - AGENDA 21 (THE ANTI-UNITED NATIONS FEARS)
Passed in the Senate 24-6, with 4 Senators not voting
No floor debate was allowed in the House. DEFEATED IN THE HOUSE - 107-53
4) SB267 - SHARIA LAW
Passed in the Senate 23-10, with Sen. Lamping not voting
No floor debate was allowed in the House. DEFEATED IN THE HOUSE -108-53
Additional defeats:
5) SB28 (SAME AS HB611) - UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION DEFINITION
Passed in Senate 24-10 (partyline)
NO MOTION MADE IN THE HOUSE TO OVERRIDE - DEFEATED
6) SB29 PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT UNION MEMBERSHIP
DEFEATED IN THE SENATE 22-11
7) SB34 - WORKERS COMPENSATION CLAIMS
Passed in Senate 25-9
1 DEM SEN. MARIA CHAPPELLE-NADAL (UNIVERSITY CITY) VOTED YES.
DEFEATED IN THE HOUSE 90-71
10 OVERRIDES OF GOVERNOR'S 33 VETOS:
Set a record of which Speaker Jones was most proud. Not passing responsible policy but slapping the governor was his utmost priority.
1) HB19 - Line item of budget bill of $1million for reconstruction of Pike-Lincoln Technical Center
House passed 112-47. Senate passed 28-5 with 1 absent.
Democrats voted YES: Keith English (Florissant), Chris Kelly (Columbia), Stephen Webber (Columbia), John Wright (Columbia)
2) HB278 - Prohibits state or local ordinance from restricting any federal holiday or any fireworks celebrations
House passed 114-45. Senate passed 24-9 with 1 absent
5 DEMS voted YES: Linda Black (Desloge), Mike Frame, Ben Harris, Jeff Roorda, Ed Schieffer.
3) HB329 - Doubles payday , title and consumer fees
House passed 109-51 (partyline votes). Senate passed 25-9.
1 DEM SEN. MARIA CHAPPELLE-NADAL (UNIVERSITY CITY) VOTED YES.
4) HB339 - Prohibits uninsured drivers from collecting non-economic damages in lawsuits against a drive at fault
House passed 109-51. Senate passed 26-8
4 DEMS voted YES: Black, Harris, Hubbard (St. Louis City), Schieffer
2 DEM SENATORS VOTED YES - CHAPPELLE-NADAL (UNIVERSITY CITY) & NASHEED (ST. LOUIS)
5) HB650 - RESTRICTS PUNITIVE DAMAGES AGAINST SINGLE COMPANY, DOE RUN'S EXISTING CASES
House passed 110-50. Senate passed 26-8.
8 DEMS voted YES: Black, Butler (St. Louis City), English (Florissant), Harris, Hubbard, TJ McKenna (Festus), Genise Montecillo (St. Louis), Roorda
7 GOP voted NO: Cornejo (St. Peters), Grisamore (Lees Summit), Haahr (Springfield), Marshall (Parkville), Rowden (Columbia), Solon (Blue Springs),Torpey (Independence)
2 DEM SENATORS VOTED YES - CHAPPELLE-NADAL (UNIVERSITY CITY) & NASHEED (ST. LOUIS)
6) HB1035 - CHANGES LAW REGARDING POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS
House passed 117 - 44. Senate passed 26-8
6 DEMS voted YES: Pat Conway (St. Joseph), Brandon Ellington (Kansas City), English, Frame, Mayfield, Roorda
1 DEM SEN. CHAPPELLE-NADAL (UNIVERSITY CITY) VOTED YES
7) SB 9 - AGRICULTURE OMNIBUS WOULD ALLOW FOR FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF FARMS
House passed 111-50. Senate passed 23-9 with 1 absent.
3 DEMS voted YES: Hubbard, Tommie Pierson (St. Louis City), Schieffer
1 DEM. SEN. CHAPPELLE-NADAL (UNIVERSITY CITY) VOTED YES.
8) SB110 - CHILD CUSTODY CASES FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL (DIFFICULT BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR FOSTER PARENTS)
House passed 109-52 partyline votes. Senate passed 25-9
1 DEM. SEN. CHAPPELLE-NADAL (UNIVERSITY CITY) VOTED YES.
9) SB 129 - ALLOWS FOR LEGAL IMMUNITY FOR VOLUNTEER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
House passed in RECONSIDERED 2ND VOTE 109-52, Senate passed 25-9
(2 GOP switched their vote from their original veto override vote - Nick Marshall, Jay Barnes)
1 DEM. SEN. CHAPPELLE-NADAL (UNIVERSITY CITY) VOTED YES.
10) SB170 - ALLOWS PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO CAST ROLL CALL VOTES BY VIDEOCONFERENCING AND NOT BE PRESENT = SPONSORED BY SEN. CHAPPELLE-NADAL
House passed 125-32. Senate passed 31-3.
16 DEMS voted YES: Anders, Butler, Conway, English, Frame, Hubbard, Kratky, McCann Beatty, Meredith, Mims, Montecillo, Peters, Swearingen, Walton Gray, Webber, Webb,
6 GOP voted NO: Conway, Haefner, Marshall, Pogue, Schieber, Solon,
3 DEM Senators voted NO: Justus, Keaveny (St. Louis) , McKenna
12 VETOED BILLS NOT BROUGHT UP FOR AN OVERRIDE VOTE :
3 Line item vetoes in Budget bills, HB 7, 10
HB110 - Changes how Lt. Gov. is replaced in a vacancy (THE FIRST GOP BILL ADVANCED IN 2013 SESSION)
HB301 - Alters offender registry (SPONSOR WANTS TO IMPROVE BILL IN 2014)
SB43 - Wide-ranging Transportation bill
SB51 - Doubles fees by license fee offices
SB60 - Changes for reinsurance companies
SB73 - Law enforcement checkpoints
SB77 - Exemption from child care licensing
SB182 - Vehicle sales taxes (companion bill was signed into law)
SB224 - Reduces penalities for false ID's in casinos
SB240 - Gas company surcharges
SB342 - Agricultural regulations
SB350 - Circuit breaker tax credits
Stay tuned now for next session...and updates from various interim committees meeting this fall. One of these days we just might get around to "responsible governing".
No comments:
Post a Comment