Politics

Nixon Vetoes So-Called 'Paycheck Protection' Bill Concerning Public Employees

St. Louis Public Radio | By Kelsey Proud,

Marshall Griffin, The Associated Press (394), Chris McDaniel

Published June 25, 2013 at 1:57 PM CDT

Updated at 9:08 p.m. with comments from State Rep. Eric Burlison (R, Springfield), SB29's House handler.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has announced his veto of SB29, the so-called "paycheck protection" bill.

The bill would have required unions to get annual permission to withhold fees and dues from public employee paychecks.

Nixon said in a veto message Tuesday the bill would have placed what he called "unnecessary burdens on public employees for the purpose of weakening labor organizations."

The Democratic governor said the bill would have unfairly singled out one group of workers. He noted it would not have imposed similar requirements on other automatic paycheck deductions, such as savings accounts for college or retirement.

Hugh McVey, president of the Missouri AFL-CIO commented on the veto.

“We are grateful that Governor Nixon stands as a firewall against the extremist agenda that would unfairly take rights away from workers and seeks to lower wages in our state," McVey said in a statement.

Republican lawmakers who supported the bill said it would have protected the rights of individual union members. Eric Burlison (R, Springfield) was the bill's official House handler.

"The Governor had a chance to do what's right for employees of the state and give them the right to express where their political contributions go, (but) he chose for himself and his own self-interest to not give that right to employees," Burlison said.

Overriding the veto would be a difficult challenge for Republicans, even though they have a veto-proof majority in the House and the Senate. The House version of the bill was more than 20 votes shy of the threshold for an override.

Politics

Kelsey Proud

Kelsey Proud is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, where she earned a Convergence (Multimedia) Journalism degree. She has worked at PBS Interactive in Washington, D.C., MSN UK News in London and is a social media enthusiast. Kelsey feels journalism is truly a public service and hopes her work enhances community and reaches those who need information most. Though she's "from" Chicago, Kelsey has also lived in several different regions of the United States, including periods of time in North Carolina, Ohio, New Mexico and Illinois. Her extended family has roots in Boone and Audrain counties in Missouri, too. She is a wannabe chef and globe trekker, former competitive golfer and band-ie (trumpet), and honorary Missourian.

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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.

The Associated Press (394)

See stories by The Associated Press (394)

Chris McDaniel

Chris McDaniel started at St. Louis Public Radio as a political reporter, predominantly covering the race between Senator Claire McCaskill and Congressman Todd Akin. Before coming to St. Louis, Chris worked at NPR stations in Louisville, Kentucky and Columbia, Missouri, and his work has been broadcast on NPR’s national newscasts. He is a proud graduate of the University of Missouri, where he studied journalism and political science. He is also the winner of the 2011 PAX East Super Smash Bros. Tournament. Chris enjoys dogs, anything by Cormac McCarthy, and listeners like you.