Annual Veto Session starts in less than 24 hours

In less than 24 hours, the Missouri General Assembly will reconvene for its annual veto session. During the session, Missouri legislators will debate over whether to override the bills Governor Nixon has vetoed. Among the headline-making pieces of legislation? Senate Bill 656, which will allow an individual to carry a concealed firearm without a permit and without formal training as well as HB 1631, which would require residents to show a photo ID before voting in a general election. Earlier this month, Governor Nixon explained why he chose to veto 22 bills. Regarding his veto of HB 1631, Nixon said it would make it more difficult for “poor people and people with disabilities” to vote. In terms of Senate Bill 656, Nixon said the bill wouldn’t allow local sheriffs to temporarily revoke someone’s permit if they feel that person is a threat. “That often arises in matters of potential domestic violence,” Nixon said. “And the many sheriffs I’ve talked to, that’s an area that is important.” Currently, Nixon, a Democrat, is Missouri’s most overriden governor. Since he took office in 2009, the Republican-led Legislature has overriden 83 vetoes of bills and budget expenditures.