Lawmakers return to Jefferson City Wednesday for their annual veto session. House and Senate leaders will attempt to override Governor Nixon’s veto of a bill that levies sales taxes on out-of-state vehicle purchases.
The issue has heated up, as Nixon’s supporters are running radio ads urging Missouri citizens to call their lawmakers and tell them not to override the Governor’s veto. Nixon calls the bill a retroactive tax hike on anyone who’s bought a vehicle outside of Missouri this year, while GOP leaders say it will provide much-needed revenue to local police and fire departments and encourage car and boat buyers to shop in Missouri.
Lawmakers are also considering overriding the governor’s veto of a bill that would allow employers to deny contraceptive coverage if providing it goes against their religious beliefs.
The one-day session will mark the last hurrah for 24 House members and 9 Senators who are leaving due to term limits.
Among those making their final appearances in chamber is Senator Jason Crowell. The Cape Girardeau Republican is probably best known for his opposition to expanding tax credits and working instead to either eliminate them or to make them subject to each year’s state budget.
The Senate is also losing President Pro-tem Rob Mayer, who’s running for a Circuit Judge slot in Stoddard County. The Senate is also losing its top Democrat, Minority Floor Leader Victor Callahan of Independence. In the House, term-limited House Speaker Steven Tilley has already left office, and House members are expected to elect Majority Floor Leader Tim Jones before taking up veto business.