A special legislative session is underway at the Capitol, a quiet session that hopes to wrap up quickly.
A compromise has been reached on a $70 million economic development bill. It’s a compromise House Speaker Rod Jetton hopes satisfies both chambers as well as the governor.
If not? Well, that’s why Jetton wanted the special session to begin on the 20th, so that if something crops up to derail this bill, the House has the option to attempt a veto override next month during the annual Veto Session. Jetton says the House, which is run by Republicans, doesn’t want to override Governor Blunt, a Republican. But Jetton says the option must be left open to keep pressure on lawmakers to approve the compromise.
Committee hearings will be held Tuesday. Floor debate has been scheduled for Thursday. Jetton hopes to approve two bills on Thursday and send them to the Senate. Along with the economic development bill is a bill intended to fix state law to allow a major bridge improvement program to move forward.
House Economic Development Committee Chairman Ron Richard of Joplin says he’s confident the revised economic development bill will be passed. If the special session fails to approve an economic development package, Richard says, "I think you could see a Republican House, Senate and Governor can’t pass an economic development bill two years in a row."
Richard says he’s committed to not letting that happen.
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