The leader of the Republican supermajority in the state Senate says he isn’t concerned with what Governor Jay Nixon (D) has to say in his State of the State Address tonight.
Senator Tom Dempsey (R-St. Charles)
Senate President Tom Dempsey (R-St. Charles) says he hasn’t thought much about what the governor might say when he outlines his policy and spending priorities. After all, his party has more than enough votes to overturn vetoes by the governor.
“We’ve got the numbers to really dictate our agenda if we’re united in our legislative efforts,” said Dempsey. “Where the governor wants to work with us we’ll provide a seat at the table for him.”
Asked whether the governor should be given more consideration, for the fact that he is elected by voters statewide, Dempsey says his word shouldn’t carry as much weight, “as [117] Republican members in the House and 25 in the Senate. No, his concerns do not outweigh the concerns of the majority party in the legislature.”
Still, Dempsey credits the Governor, saying he is being more communicative and cooperative with lawmakers than in past years, and he is interested in seeing if that is reflected in tonight’s address.
“So far [the governor’s staff’s] outreach has been better and I’m looking for, I guess, statements to the effect of recognizing that the legislature is a partner,” said Dempsey.
Watch the State of the State Address and the GOP response from House Speaker John Diehl, Junior, tonight at Missourinet.com and KMIZ/KZOU starting with a preview at 6:45 and ending with reaction from former House Speaker Tim Jones and Progress Missouri Executive Director Sean Nicholson.
