Missouri National Education Association President Charles Smith, a teacher on leave from the Center School District, issued the following statement in response to the Missouri House’s decision not to override Governor Nixon’s veto of House Bill 253.
“Today a bi-partisan coalition of Missouri Representatives chose to support our public school students and rejected the risky tax schemes of H.B. 253,” says Charles Smith, Missouri NEA president. “Teachers and school support professionals across the state are applauding Gov. Nixon and the members of the Missouri House who stood strong for our public schools and rejected H.B. 253.
“H.B. 253 would have forced dangerous cuts to our public schools equal to laying off over 9,400 educators,” Smith says. “Strengthening our economy demands we invest in our students and our public schools. H.B. 253 would have taken our schools backward, forcing students into overcrowded classrooms with inadequate support and outdated materials. I am grateful that the Missouri House chose Missouri’s children over the lobbyists and special interests behind H.B. 253 ”
The final vote on H.B. 253 was 94-67 with 109 votes required to override the governor’s veto.