Missouri Governor Jay Nixon (D) hopes lawmakers sustain his vetoes on the photo ID bill and other bills.

Governor Jay Nixon addresses the Capitol Press Corps on September 7, 2016

Governor Jay Nixon addresses the Capitol Press Corps on September 7, 2016

In July, Nixon vetoed a bill requiring a photo ID to vote, saying it would disproportionately impact seniors and those with disabilities. Nixon discussed the bill with reporters on Wednesday.

“Making it harder for people that are poor or disabled to vote when there’s not been a single case of misidentified voters, as what was laid out again in the ‘Post-Dispatch’ today, is certainly a difference in policy,” Nixon says.

The Missouri House and Senate approved the voter ID bill in May, with veto-proof majorities in both chambers. State Rep. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit) predicts the bill will be overridden. State Sen. Will Kraus (R-Lee’s Summit) says the measure would protect against voter fraud. Kraus will seek an override.

Governor Nixon vetoed 22 bills after the 2016 session ended.

The veto session begins September 14 at noon in Jefferson City. While Republicans have veto-proof majorities in both the House and Senate, Nixon told the Capitol Press Corps on Wednesday that GOP lawmakers should explain some of the bills they are trying to override.

“If I’m overridden, if they (Republicans) want to add to their statistics by jacking up fees on licenses, they ought to be accounted for it. And don’t let them use as an excuse that they’ve got the numbers to do this stuff if it’s bad policy. They ought to at least have to answer to the public as to why,” Nixon told reporters.

Nixon emphasized several times during the press briefing that he wants lawmakers to read his veto messages.

Nixon also urged lawmakers to sustain his veto of a bill he says would make Missouri roadways less safe, by allowing automated long-haul trucks on certain highways.

“So the sponsor (Rep. Charlie Davis) and supporters should answer if it’s good public policy to put these automated trucks on our highways together, does this bill help Missourians or hurt them?” Nixon says.

That provision is called “platooning”. In his July 8 veto message, Nixon wrote “Using Missouri highways as a testing ground for long-haul trucks to deploy this unproven technology is simply a risk not worth taking at this time.”

The House sponsor, State Rep. Charlie Davis (R-Webb City), says his bill allows MODOT to do a pilot program. Davis told Missourinet late Wednesday afternoon that he disagrees with Governor Nixon’s safety concerns, saying that with that mentality, “we would not have cruise control on our vehicles.” Davis says he plans to seek an override.

Republicans control the Missouri Senate 24-7 and the House 114-45-1. Overrides require a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

The Missouri Constitution allows up to ten days for the veto session. Missourinet will have comprehensive coverage next week.