JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri lawmakers are asking voters to give them more power to overrule budget cuts made by governors.
The Senate gave final approval Friday to a proposed constitutional amendment that would let the Legislature override gubernatorial decisions to reduce spending for particular programs.
The power would be similar to what already exists for lawmakers to override gubernatorial vetoes of budget items.
The measure comes amid budgetary tension between the executive and legislative branches. In recent years, Gov. Jay Nixon has cited his constitutional powers while reducing funding for budgeted programs - sometimes even though revenues are meeting projections.
The constitutional amendment also would prohibit governors from basing budget recommendations on revenues that are dependent on legislation that has not yet passed.
Budget bill is HJR72.
Link:
Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov
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