Working Missourians Win at Veto Session

Missourians who work for a living got some important victories in the Capitol on September 11.   Organized labor and our allies have reason to be proud of our work today.

Missouri NEA Special Legislative Update
September 11, 2013
By Otto Fajen
MNEA Legislative Director


HOUSE SUSTAINS VETO AND DEFEATS HB 253, THE CORPORATE TAX CUT BILL

The House sustained Governor Jay Nixon's veto of SS/HB 253 on
September 11 by a vote of 94-67.  The bill was defeated and will not
become law.  A veto override requires a two-thirds majority vote of at
least 109 Representatives and 23 Senators.

The Association strongly opposed the bill and worked with the
Coalition for Missouri's Future (CMF) in a successful effort to
sustain the Governor's veto of the bill. The bill would have
significantly cut state revenues and harmed the state's ability to
support our public schools.  The Association appreciates the effort of
members who supported the effort to sustain the Govenronr's veto on HB
253.

SENATE SUSTAINS VETO AND DEFEATS PAYCHECK DECEPTION BILL

The Senate sustained the veto of SB 29 (Brown), the Paycheck Deception
bill, by a vote of 22-11, just one vote short of the 23 votes required
for an override. The bill was defeated and will not become law.  Sen.
Wayne Wallingford voted against the bill along with all minority
caucus members. Sen. Gary Romine did not vote.  SB 29 would have
restricted the ability of public labor union members to use payroll
deduction to pay their dues and voluntary political contributions.
The Association strongly opposed the bill and supported the Governor's
veto of SB 29


HOUSE SUSTAINS VETOES AND DEFEATS UNEMPLOYMENT COMP DISQUALIFICATION BILLS

The House sustained the Governor's veto and defeated HB 611 (Lant)
which contained the provisions of SB 28 (Kraus).  The Senate voted to
override the veto on SB 28, but the House made no motion on the bill
after HB 611 was defeated.  Neither bill will become law.  Both bills
would have revised the definition of “misconduct” used to disqualify
former employees from receiving unemployment compensation benefits.
The bills include consideration of off-hours and off-site conduct,
without adequate safeguards to ensure unemployment disqualification
would be related to activities that actually affect job performance or
have a harmful effect on the work environment.  The Association
opposed both bills and supported Governor Nixon's vetoes.