Governor Matt Blunt (R-MO) says no deal has yet been struck to give him what he needs to call a special legislative session to deal with a major economic development bill he vetoed. Blunt vetoed HB 327 because it gave away too much to too many interests and would have been a burden on state finances.
The Governor says negotiations with Senate and House leadership are ongoing to try to craft a proposal that will be acceptable to him and to lawmakers. The Governor wants to see a session that is narrowly focused on expanding the Quality Jobs and Enhanced Enterprise Zone programs … and creating a New Markets Tax Credit. He says he realizes, though, that there is room for expanding that focus.
The Governor made his comments in his Capitol office as he signed a series of bills from the legislative session that concluded in May. Saturday is the final day to either sign or veto bills from that session.