Veto session: A time for goodbyes
September 20, 2010
Comments by Sen. Gary Nodler

Each year, legislators return to the Capitol in mid-September for the General Assemblys annual veto session. A September veto session is required by the Missouri Constitution to give lawmakers the chance to consider bills vetoed by the governor. By the end of the regular session in May, 32 Senate bills and 74 House bills were approved by the Legislature and sent to the governor; the governor vetoed four House bills and one Senate bill.

In order for the Senate and House to override a governors veto, the Legislature has to have a two-thirds majority vote during veto session. It is much more difficult to accomplish than the simple majority required to pass a bill. The last time a veto override was successful was in 2003, when we voted to overturn three vetoes, allowing Missourians to carry concealed weapons, barring lawsuits against gun manufacturing companies and requiring a waiting period for certain medical procedures related to abortions.

Measures vetoed by the governor that were up for consideration included:

This time of year also gives us a chance to say goodbye to retiring members of the Missouri Senate. I am one of the 10 senators that cannot be re-elected to the Senate due to term limits. The Senate held a retirement ceremony in the chamber prior to veto session. It has been a pleasure to serve our state and the 32nd District. There are many people to thank for my success in the Missouri Senate my personal staff, Senate staff, and my friends and family but most importantly, I would like to thank the people in the district who gave me the opportunity to serve these past eight years.

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