Supporters of right-to-work policy believe the Missouri legislature will vote soon to override the governor’s veto of right-to-work legislation.
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Though House Republican leaders failed to keep right to work alive, they were able to vote 114-46 to override Nixon’s veto on a bill that would prevent cities from setting their own minimum wage and preventing them from instituting a ban on plastic bags.
House Democrats today led the successful bipartisan effort to defeat so-called “right-to-work” legislation as the Republican-controlled chamber failed to override Gov. Jay Nixon’s veto of House Bill 116. Earlier this year, for example, Republicans stuck together to override Nixon’s veto of a bill removing several thousand families from the welfare rolls by shortening how long they can receive cash payments.
“I think there’s a good likelihood that that’s going to come up for a vote”, Richardson said. A two-thirds majority vote in the Senate is still needed to complete the veto override.
“Gov. Nixon is the roadblock between Missouri and more prosperity, after bowing down to union bosses he blocked the legislature and the will of most Missourians”. Republicans are seeking to undo that. Local chapters of the Teamsters and the Communications Workers of America were among the unions who attended the override vote as well. If the jobless rate remains below 6 percent, the effect would be to reduce Missouri’s current 20 weeks of benefits – which already is one of the shorter periods nationally – to as few as 13 weeks starting in January.
In a statement, Nixon applauded lawmakers sustaining his right to work veto, calling it a “victory for workers, families and businesses here in Missouri and across the country”. The House overrode that veto on the final day of the regular session, but the Senate couldn’t get to it before time ran out, leading Nixon to tell reporters back in May that they’ve blown their shot.
For years, out-of-state corporate interests that ship jobs overseas have tried to pressure Missouri lawmakers into pushing “Right to Work” in order to increase their profits at the expense of middle class families. Scott Sifton, D-Affton, led the shutdown.
So the likelihood of a normal veto session seems to hinge on whether the House overrides right-to-work, but it remains to be seen whether the bill’s sponsor will bring it up.
Debate ranged from history lessons and constituent anecdotes, pleading the bill would both hurt and help businesses in respective legislator’s districts. House Bill 116 would have meant for the first time, the majority of states were right-to-work.
Also, an opinion issued Monday by the state attorney general’s office says that the “magic number” for overriding a veto remains at 109 for the Missouri House and 23 for the Senate, despite vacancies in both chambers.
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The annual veto-override session is to begin at noon Wednesday.
