93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
The GOP-controlled Missouri House overrode 14 budget bills that were vetoed this summer by Republican Governor Mike Parson (R), but the Senate did not take up any of the overrides on Wednesday afternoon.
Parson issued 201 line-item vetoes this summer, totaling more than $555-million. State Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) successful urged her House colleagues to override the governor’s veto of Missouri Task Force One funding.
“This is restoring $1.4 million to Missouri Task Force One. It is based out of my county of Boone, but this helps every county in Missouri and every state in this country. And I appreciate your all’s consideration,” Representative Reisch said on the House floor.
The Missouri House voted 121-26 to override Parson’s veto of Task Force One funding. They only needed 109 votes. Governor Parson says the money wasn’t included in his budget blueprint. Senate Appropriations Committee chair State Sen. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) declined to seek a vote on any of the 14 bills overridden by the House. Senator Hough said he didn’t think there were enough Senate votes to override any of the 14. It takes a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override a veto.
Another veto that was overridden by the House on Wednesday involves $2-million for Missouri National Guard reenlistment incentives. That was a top priority for House Veterans Committee chair Dave Griffith (R-Jefferson City), who urged his House colleagues to override Parson.
“As we all know right now in our country, we have a real need for young men and women to join our military service. Those that are already serving serve a real valuable service to us. In order for provide them some incentives to stay in the military is a real benefit for all of us,” says Representative Griffith.
He 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.
