93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
One of GOP Governor Mike Parson’s most vocal supporters in the Missouri House is disappointed in the governor’s veto of a bill involving $2-million for Missouri National Guard reenlistment incentives.
House Veterans Committee chair Representative Dave Griffith of Jefferson City tells 939 the Eagle that the U.S. military is in need of people.
“In order for us to maintain the same military force that we have, we need to be able to offer some incentives to keep those people. If we lose them, if they just retire or just don’t re-enlist, they we have to find somebody else that’s going to take their place. So that’s going to take time,” Griffith says.
Chairman Griffith led the House’s successful bipartisan override of the governor’s veto on the funding, but the Missouri Senate did not take the issue up. Griffith praises the Guard members, saying they dedicate their lives to serving Missouri and the country.
The governor says the money was not included in his budget blueprint this year. Chairman Griffith has questions for the governor.
“I would remind him of his time in the service (U.S. Army) and remind him of the importance of maintaining a good military presence. And he is the Commander in Chief. So for him to do this, for me … the question I would say would be why? What reasoning do you have?,” Griffin says.
The bill was one of 14 of Governor Parson’s budget vetoes that were overridden by the GOP-controlled House. The Senate declined to take any of them up.
