© 2024 University of Missouri - KBIA
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Coalition Calling For Override Of Tax Cut Veto Brings Tour To Mo. Capital City

Marshall Griffin/St. Louis Public Radio

While Governor Jay Nixon (D) continues touring Missouri to oppose efforts to override his veto of tax cut legislation, a group of business officials and political activists are trying to rally support for the override effort.

The group calls itself the Grow Missouri Coalition.  It includes the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Missouri Club for Growth, Americans for Prosperity and United for Missouri.  DanMehan, President and CEO of the Missouri Chamber, told reporters in Jefferson City Friday that overriding the veto of House Bill 253 would provide tax relief that would in turn spur job growth.

"You look at what Kansas has done, and we're not saying we have to be exactly like Kansas at all, but their unemployment rate is down to 5.5 percent – ours is at 6.6 (percent)," Mehan said.  "I think any politician wants to generate jobs, (and) this is one way to do it."

A spokesperson for the group says more tour stops are planned, but won't yet say when or where.  Meanwhile, Brent Ghan is from another group that supports the Governor's veto -- it's called  the Coalition for Missouri's Future.  He was waiting outside Missouri Chamber offices to talk to reporters after the Grow Missouri Coalition's meeting.  Ghan says investing in education, instead of gutting it with tax cuts, will grow Missouri's economy.

"There are lots of studies that would indicate that we're going to have to have a highly-educated work force to compete in the global economy that we're already in," Ghan said.  "To make adis-investmentin education, which is what this tax cut bill would do, is exactly the wrong direction to go."

Ghan also works as chief communications officer for the Missouri School Boards Association, but says he was at that moment representing the Coalition for Missouri's Future.

The pro-override group may target Republican lawmakers who choose to side with Governor Nixon and not vote for an override.  BevRandles of Missouri Club for Growth says overturning the veto on House Bill 253 is her group's top issue this year.

"If a person who says that they're a conservative doesn't vote for this override, they're not going to get our support next year, that's for certain," Randles said.  "It is very likely we'll be looking for somebody to run against them."

Governor Nixon has spent the summer touring Missouri and telling citizens that overturning his veto on the tax cut bill would gut funding for K-12 schools and vital social services.

Meanwhile, Missouri Chamber officials and other Grow Missouri Coalition members are scheduled to take part next week in an event featuring Texas Governor Rick Perry (R), who's launched an ad campaign urging Missouri businesses to relocate to the Lone Star State.  In one ad, Perry mentions Nixon's veto of House Bill 253 as an example of an increased tax burden.

Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter:  @MarshallGReport

Copyright 2021 St. Louis Public Radio. To see more, visit St. Louis Public Radio.

Missouri Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a proud alumnus of the University of Mississippi (a.k.a., Ole Miss), and has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off the old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Mason, and their cat, Honey.
Marshall Griffin
St. Louis Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a native of Mississippi and proud alumnus of Ole Miss (welcome to the SEC, Mizzou!). He has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off an old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Liberty Belle, and their cat, Honey.