Archive for July, 2011
Jul 28 – Weekly Capital Update
HOUSE COMMITTEE SUGGESTS TAPPING RAINY DAY FUND The House Interim Disaster Recovery Committee on July 25 recommended that the possibility of accessing the state’s $250 million Rainy Day Fund to assist in disaster recovery following recent tornadoes and flooding around the state be a part of the agenda for a special legislative session to be [...]
The History of Pocket Vetoes
LETTING BILLS BECOME LAW When the July 14 deadline passed for Gov. Jay Nixon to sign or veto bills approved by the General Assembly during the 2011 legislative session, he chose to do neither on three bills. Two, House Bill 213 and Senate Bill 65, are identical measures imposing new abortion restrictions. The third, House [...]
Access vs. Quality –– Must We Choose?
“Politicians like access to higher education better than they like quality of education,” said state Rep. Chris Kelly, a Columbia Democrat against Nixon’s cuts to higher education. “At some point you have to ask: Access to what?”
Ever Wondered About the Mechanics of a MO Veto Session?
VETO SESSION PROCESS Article III, Section 32 of the Missouri Constitution requires the General Assembly to convene for its annual veto session each September, even if lawmakers have no intention of attempting to override the governor. This year’s veto session will begin on Sept. 14 and can last for no more than 10 calendar days, [...]
Amy Hestir Bill Signed Into Law
Senate Bill 54, known as the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act and which protects children from sexual misconduct by a teacher, was signed into law today by Gov. Nixon. The bill, handled in the House by Rep. Chris Kelly, requires any school employee who learns of reported sexual misconduct by a teacher or other school [...]
Jul 14 – Weekly Capital Update
ELECTIONS BILL VETO IMPLICATES PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed an omnibus elections bill on July 8 that would have eliminated many municipal elections and required special elections to fill vacancies in statewide offices. However, the veto also creates concerns about whether Missouri will get its full slate delegates to next year’s Democratic and Republican [...]
Summary of 2011 Nixon Vetoes
HOUSE BILLS VETOED HB 184 (Dugger): Authorizes commissioners of certain road districts to be compensated for their services and specifies that risk coverages procured by certain political subdivisions will not require competitive bids. TAFP: House, 140-0; Senate, 34-0. In his veto message, Nixon said the bill would create new exceptions to Missouri’s Sunshine Law and [...]
New Law Overhauls 30 Years of Domestic Violence Statutes
Or as Ryan Silvey tweeted:
• The Gov signed the Domestic Violence bill that Rep. Kelly (D-Columbia) and I ushered through the House. Much needed updates!
Kelly Organ Donor Bill Signed Into Law
House Bill 151, sponsored last session by Rep. Chris Kelly, was signed into law by Gov. Nixon on July 12. The law authorizes an individual or corporation to designate all or a portion of his or her income tax refund to the Organ Donor Program or to send a separate check with the payment of [...]
Jul 7 – Weekly Capital Update
LAWSUIT FILED CHALLENGING VOTER ID BALLOT MEASURE Voting rights groups on July 6 filed a lawsuit in Cole County Circuit Court that seeks to block from the ballot a proposed constitutional amendment granting the General Assembly the authority to impose of a photo voter identification requirement. Lawmakers approved the proposed amendment, SJR 2, earlier this [...]
