Governor Bob Holden has followed through on his promise to veto the litigation reform bill sent to him by the General Assembly. Holden says that while he is looking for a solution to the medical malpractice problem facing Missouri’s doctors, he cannot accept legislation he says would allow businesses to escape their responsibilities. He is proposing a new piece of legislation for lawmakers to mull over in the remaining two and a half weeks of the session. Republican legislative leaders counter by saying the Governor has acted in the best interests of the trial attorneys in hopes of being rewarded with lavish contributions during the election campaign. As for the new legislation, they say for all practical purposes it comes to late in the session. House Speaker Catherine Hanaway of Warson Woods says she’ll try to find the votes necessary in the House to override the veto. She needs fifteen votes and realizes it will not be easy to convince fifteen lawmakers to change their minds. The state’s business community has weighed in on the veto, expressing its disappointment. Dan Mehan, President of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, says Holden has ignored the wishes and concerns of employers. Mehan says Holden has placed the interests of trial attorneys, who are among the Governor’s biggest financial supporters, ahead of those of all other Missourians.
