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State lawmakers return to Capitol for Veto Session

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State lawmakers return to the Capitol today for the annual Veto Session. It appears that though there might be a lot of talk, there likely won’t be any vetoes overturned.

Governor Nixon, a Democrat, signed 139 bills . He vetoed 23 and made line-item vetoes in 11 budget bills.

“This governor certainly issued a much higher number of vetoes than previous governors and a lot of those are budget related and we understand that given the fiscal difficulties the state is in,” says Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields (R-St. Joseph) , “But there may be opportunities for folks to voice their displeasure and say why they think something should not have been vetoed or in a particular appropriation why it shouldn’t have been line-itemed vetoed. So, that may be an opportunity for folks.”

Neither Shields nor House Speaker Ron Richard (R-Joplin) anticipate any vetoes will be overridden this year.

“I don’t think there is any support for a super majority in the House. I just doubt if that happens,” Richard says. “We are going to go through the budget bills one by one and whoever wants to speak, we’re going to do that. But, any serious votes, I’m not sure there are any serious votes that would override.”

The governor signed 103 House bills and 36 Senate bills this year. He vetoed 11 House bills and 12 Senate bills. In addition, he made line-item vetoes in 11 budget bills, which originate in the House. Vetoed bills return to the chamber of origin which can take a vote to override the governor. It takes 109 votes in the House and 23 in the Senate to override a gubernatorial veto. A bit of sickness has reduced the number of Republicans expected in the House Chamber today, reducing their total numbers to the mid-80s. It is highly unlikely any House Democrat will vote to override Nixon, a fellow Democrat. The only serious defections in recent history occurred on emotional social issues, such as the 1999 override of Governor Carnahan’s veto of the partial-birth abortion ban and, in 2003, Democrats voted against Governor Holden in over-turning his veto of the concealed weapons bill.

Veto overrides remain rare. There have been only 22 in state history.

Any talk of override this year has centered on two bills, one from each chamber. SB 202 , which repealed the state motorcycle helmet law for adults, passed overwhelmingly in both chambers. Still, Senate leaders don’t expect a serious override attempt. HB 544 proposed oversight accountability of federal economic stimulus money as well as increased access to the Capitol dome. The sponsors of those bills might well make a motion to override, use the opportunity to state their objections to the governor’s action, and then withdraw the motion

Download/listen Brent Martin reports (:60 MP3)

Former Governor Hearnes praised during state funeral

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State funeral services for former Gov. Warren Hearnes have concluded at the Capitol, with Gov. Nixon praising Hearnes as a governor who provided a steady hand during the stormy times of the 1960s. Hearnes served as Missouri governor from 1965 to 1973. He was the first to serve consecutive terms as governor after the state constitution was changed to allow it.

flaghearnes.jpg Nixon stated that it was his honor to help commemorate the life and leadership of Missouri’s 46th governor. Nixon noted that Hearnes accomplished much during his time as governor, but also in her personal life, such as marrying his childhood sweetheart Betty. The two were married more than 60 years.

Nixon stated that though many years have passed since Hearnes served as governor, his legacy of compassion, action and enlightened leadership continues and endures.

The casket was closed, covered by a state flag Hearnes took with him to Charleston. He had told his wife, Betty, that he wanted that flag to drape over his coffin.

The state funeral attracted former Governors Blunt, Holden, Wilson and Ashcroft. Former Senator Jean Carnahan represented her late husband, Mel Carnahan.

Hearnes was a member of the Missouri House, where he became the Majority Floor Leader. He was elected Secretary of State prior to winning election as governor. His public service spanned almost 70 years.

After the service, the hearse carrying the former governor circled to the north side of the Capitol for military honors, including a 19-gun salute and helicopter flyover. Hearnes will be returned to Charleston, in southeast Missouri, for a visitation tomorrow evening at the First Baptist Church. His funeral will be held Friday morning at the church.

State funerals at the Capitol are rare. The first was held in April, 1918 for former Governor William Joel Stone who was governor 1893-97 and died while serving his third term in the U. S. Senate. The most recent was for Governor Mel Carnahan, held outdoors in October, 2000.

Download/listen Gov. Nixon eulogizes former Gov. Hearnes (12:30 MP3)

Former Missouri governor says he’s happy in new role

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A former Missouri governor says he’s doing just fine outside the day-to-day world of politics and into the thick of public policy discussions.

Bob Holden Former Governor Bob Holden established the Holden Public Policy Forum at Webster University in St. Louis where he brings prominent Democrats and Republicans to campus to discuss the important issues facing the United States. Holden says he hopes to improve the level of policy discussions in the country; to turn them from being so partisan and bitter.

Holden spent last week as a Clinton delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. He argued persuasively at a meeting with fellow Clinton delegates that the party must unify behind Barack Obama.

Holden says he uses his platform at Webster, where he also teaches, to encourage young people to become politically active, whether as a Democrat or as a Republican. Holden says he will help a young person no matter what political party he might choose.

Four years ago, Holden lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary to Claire McCaskill who lost the general election to Republican Matt Blunt. Holden says he’s very satisfied where he is, though he won’t rule out politics in the future. 

Download/listen Brent Martin reports (:60 MP3)

McCaskill Says Blunt Read Writing on the Wall

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Missouri’s top Democrat, who lost a race four years ago to Republican Matt Blunt, says though the governor’s decision not to run for a second term was obviously unexpected, perhaps it shouldn’t have come as such a shock.

Senator McCaskill (D-MO) says, "I think Governor Blunt has done a great job of reading the writing on the wall."

McCaskill says the Blunt campaign was beset by problems that would make it difficult for the governor to win re-election in November. McCaskill points to public opinion polls which continue to lag despite Missourians for Matt Blunt spending a lot of money and the governor traveling the state to make various announcements. McCaskill adds that a look at the campaign’s financial disclosure report discloses that the campaign has had to spend approximately $100,000 on attorney fees the past three months.

"Obviously, if you’re spending that kind of money on legal help there are concerns," says McCaskill.

She suggests that the lawsuit brought by former Blunt Administration attorney Scott Eckersley has placed pressure on the administration, pressure that is mounting. Eckersley sued the Blunt Administration, contending he was fired because he objected to how the administration handled its e-mails. Eckersley contended that the administration’s policy of deleting e-mails violated Missouri’s open records law.

McCaskill flatly rejects any suggestion that Blunt’s decision has handed the governor’s office over to Democrat Jay Nixon, the state Attorney General. She says Nixon will still have to run hard to win the seat against whoever emerges as the Republican candidate for governor. Nixon has a head start on whoever that is. He has been running for at least the past two years.

McCaskill successfully challenged incumbent Bob Holden in the Democratic primary for governor four years ago, but lost to Blunt in the general election. 

Download/listen Brent Martin reports (:70 MP3)

Gov. Blunt Strikes Theme of Change in State of State

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Governor Matt Blunt Governor Blunt used the theme of "change is working" to defend controversial budget cuts when he began his administration and to assert the state has moved forward under his leadership during the annual State of the State address .

Barely into a 50 minute speech before a joint session of the legislature, Blunt blasted the previous administration of Governor Holden by declaring, "Only four years ago, bad public policy was causing our state to lose jobs at an alarming and unacceptable rate. Business-as-usual in the state Capitol was hurting Missouri families."

Blunt insisted that the state economy is growing, schools have improved, and the health care system has been transformed.

"We will not go back to the old-way," Blunt told lawmakers, "We will continue on our changed course. The budget I submit tonight reduces taxes; helps thousands of working Missouri families afford their own health insurance; supports law enforcement; and continues to increase our investment in education. My budget will increase opportunity and reduce taxes."

Blunt has proposed increasing basic school funding by $121 million and support of state colleges by $40 million. He has also proposed a four-fold increase in college scholarships through the Access Missouri program, increasing its budget from $25 million to $100 million.

On taxes, Blunt urged lawmakers to send to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment forbidding judges from imposing tax increases. He proposed mandatory levy rollbacks to offset the natural tax increases that occur with property re-assessment.

Blunt strongly defended his change in the state Medicaid program, "Unlike the old system, HealthNet is about results. The old system treated people like numbers. HealthNet treats people as valued patients."

The governor also touted Insure Missouri, his program to make health insurance more affordable to more Missourians. Blunt said that Insure Missouri would take existing resources and help Missourians buy their own personal health insurance.

Blunt also proposed eliminating the state income tax on military pensions, providing incentives for alternative fuels, and imposing the death penalty on anyone convicted of raping a child.

One of the more meaty portions of the speech came at the end. Blunt outlined a serious of steps to crackdown on illegal immigration.

"Missouri is already taking some of the strongest steps in the United States to curb illegal immigration, but we can and should be doing more," Blunt said, "Missourians should know that I will do everything I can to combat illegal immigration, to protect their safety, to defend their hard-earned tax dollars, to protect their jobs and to enforce the rule of law."

Attorney General Jay Nixon, the top Democrat running for governor this year, delivered the Democratic response to the State of the State address. [ Photo by Bill Greenblatt, UPI ]

Download/listen Gov. Blunt State of the State speech (50 min MP3)

Quiet Process of Choosing Supreme Court Judge Anything But

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The normally quiet process of selecting a candidate for the Missouri Supreme Court has become anything but quiet. An advertising campaign has been started as Governor Blunt and Republican legislative leaders are raising questions about the process.

The Adam Smith Foundation has launched a radio advertising campaign against the Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan. A dramatized conversation between a man and woman ushers in accusations that the Appellate Judicial Commission violated the "spirit" of Missouri’s Sunshine Law by holding "secret meetings" to choose the three finalists for a vacancy on the State Supreme Court.

As that campaign airs, Governor Blunt has stepped up criticism of the process, saying, "Clearly we need a more transparent process."

Blunt says he has a process in place to evaluate the three candidates, who are all appellate judges. Patricia Breckenridge was first appointed to the bench by then-Gov. Bond as associate circuit judge in Vernon County in 1982. Former Gov. Ashcroft appointed her to the Court of Appeals in Kansas City. The late Gov. Carnahan appointed Ronald Holliger to the Jackson County Circuit Court in 1995. Former Governor Holden appointed Holliger to the Western District Missouri Court of Appeals. Carnahan also appointed Nannette Baker to the bench, placing her on the St. Louis Circuit Court in 1999. Holden promoted her to the Eastern District Court of Appeals in 2004.

A leading Republican Senator, Charlie Shields of St. Joseph, has requested the Appellate Judicial Commission meet with a Senate committee to explain its process. Shields says he has always been a supporter of the judiciary, but is frustrated with the process that chose this panel.

The Appellate Judicial Commission has insisted it hasn’t violated any law, stating that it is required by Supreme Court rule to keep applicant names and documents private until a final panel of three is chosen.

Download/listen Brent Martin reports (:60 MP3)

House Speaker Pro Tem Announces Resignation

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House Speaker Pro Tem Carl Bearden (R-St. Charles) is stepping down before term limits force him out of the House.

Bearden will join the lobbying firm Pelopidas created by Travis Brown and his wife, Rachel Keller Brown. Both Browns have individual lobbying companies that they will retain.

Bearden came into the House in 2000, two years before Republicans took control of the chamber. He counts Republican takeover of the House as one of the highlights of his legislative career. Bearden climbed up the leadership ladder quickly. He took center stage in deep budget cuts in 2002 as chairman of the House Budget Committee. Bearden refused then-Governor Holden’s request to tap the Rainy Day Fund to prop up a budget weighed down by the recession which followed in wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Bearden was elected Speaker Pro Tem in 2005 and used the position to argue in favor of cuts to Medicaid, which Republicans defended as necessary to save the state budget. Democrats harshly criticized those cuts as overreaching and harmful to recipients who would no longer have health care. The cuts threw 90,000 recipients off Medicaid.

Bearden says the tough decisions made then helped turn the tide and put Missouri on firm financial footing. Bearden says much of the rhetoric from Democrats who criticize Republican budget cuts is aimed at the 2008 elections, not at what is good health care policy for Missouri.

Download/listen House Speaker Pro Tem Carl Bearden (R-St. Charles) looks back on legislative career with Brent Martin (5 min.)

This Time It Is Not a Tax Increase

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When Democrat Bob Holden was Governor and tried to close some business tax loopholes, Republicans accused him of wanting to raise taxes on business. Now a Republican Governor wants to make some businesses pay 30-million dollars more in taxes and the rhetoric has changed. Governor Blunt has promised no tax increases. State budget director Larry Shepker avoids using the phrase–although given several opportunities to do so in a press briefing on the budget–when discussing the way the governor wants to get 30-million dollars more in taxes from businesses. He calls it “correcting the current tax structure” which pretty much sounds like closing a loophole in the minds of some of the reporters at the briefing. “No, I wouldn’t call it anything,” said Kempker. “It is a correction in state statutes to implement the proper collection of state taxes,” he said. But somebody will be paying 30-milliion dollars more in taxes. Isn’t that a tax increase, Deputy budget director Marty Drewell? “It’s a clearer definition in staute,” he said. But somebody is going to pay increased taxes. “There will be a net increase of thirty million dollars,” admitted Shepker. Well, he was asked, will it just come out of the air or will somebody pay it? “Somebody will pay it.” But calling increased taxes….a tax increase…is just not something the Blunt budget office can say. “Even though it will result in additional revenue…it’s not changing to force a tax increase, it’s a proper way to pay a tax,” according to Shepker. And some of those properly paying taxes will be paying more taxes if the Governor’s no-tax-increase increase goes through.

Focus on McCaskill as Dems Launch 2006 Election Campaign Effort

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Democrats from around the state gather in Hannibal for Missouri Democrat Days – the unofficial kick-off of the 2006 election campaign season. A great deal of the attention was on the woman challenging Jim Talent in the U.S. Senate race. Claire McCaskill is taking stands on a number of important issues expected to be major concerns during this campaign: She supports different forms of stem cell research, believes renewal of the USA Patriot Act is the right thing to do, and does not want ownership of some U.S. ports turned over to a company owned by the government of the United Arab Emirates. McCaskill dismisses suggestions she would be a mouthpiece for liberal Democrats in party leadership, saying she would stand up to the likes of Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, Senator Ted Kennedy, and Senator Hillary Clinton. McCaskill says her controversial decision to challenge incumbent Democratic Governor Bob Holden in 2004 proves no one tells her what to say or do.

Related web sites:
McCaskill for Missouri

Changes Coming for State Homeland Security Office

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Changes proposed for the state’s homeland security efforts are touted as streamlining the process, but might sound a bit like someone trying to put their own brand on something that already exists. Shortly after the 2001 terrorist attacks, Governor Holden appointed a state Homeland Security Director. Under the latest executive order from Governor Blunt, Missouri’s homeland security efforts now fall under the Department of Public Safety and a Homeland Security Advisory Council has been charged with submitting a new plan to the governor by January first. When asked if the state did not already have a homeland security plan, Public Safety Director Mark James responded that it did, but not one written by this administration.James couldn’t point to any specific gaps in homeland security that the previous administration had left. But he says you cannot measure success just based on what has not been measured. James is also not sure how much the state might have to spend to get homeland security where he believes it needs to be and he’s not sure if federal money might cover any possible costs.