State Senate Republicans think they can override the veto of an unemployment bill during the Legislature’s veto session. The chamber’s Democratic leader disagrees.
Joe Keaveny (D-St. Louis) thinks the legislation could end up in court.
“I’m relatively certain that somebody will file a lawsuit,” said Keaveny. “It’ll end up in court.”
“I think the constitution is pretty clear on that. If you go back and read it, the only thing that can be brought up in veto session are bills that have been vetoed on the fifth day or after toward the end of session,” said Keaveny.
The House voted to override Governor Nixon’s veto of the bill before the end of the regular legislative session, but the fight over “Right to Work” legislation prevented a vote in the Senate.
Senate Republicans believe the bill is eligible for an override and thinks there are enough votes for an overturn.
The bill would reduce the length of time a person could receive unemployment benefits to as few as 13 weeks depending on the state’s unemployment rate. The current length is 20 weeks. Democrats opposed the legislations saying it would only harm Missourians who are already struggling, while Republicans say the state has had to borrow federal money when that fund has run dry, hurting Missouri businesses.
The veto session begins at noon Wednesday.