Our Opinion: Encouraging developments from veto session

News Tribune editorial

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of last week's legislative veto session is a renewed focus on broad ideas rather than narrow issues.

Sen. Bob Dixon of Springfield and Rep. Jay Barnes of Jefferson City were among the Republican lawmakers who backed off targeted tax relief in favor of pursuing more far-reaching tax reform when the regular session convenes in January.

Specific tax cuts and exemptions approved by GOP legislative majorities on the regular session's final day in May were among bills vetoed by Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, who characterized the bills as the "Friday Favors."

Dixon passed up the chance to seek an override, explaining he favors the "more challenging task" of reforming the state's tax code over his vetoed proposal that "only dealt with symptoms of an ailing tax code."

Prior to the veto session, Barnes wrote in a column, published in the Sept. 7 News Tribune, "On the last day of the session, I voted for all nine bills. During the veto session, I will only vote to override one." He cited two reasons - specific drafting errors and "a bigger picture view of taxes and the budget."

Republican retreat on most of the "Friday favors" is not to say the GOP folded on budgetary issues.

Lawmakers overrode 47 line-item budget vetoes covering $53 million of the $276 million vetoed in the budget that took effect July 1. Their actions restored funding to a number of health, mental health and social services programs.

And Republicans also succeeded in overriding vetoes on 10 other bills, including those relating to waiting periods for abortions, gun rights and electronic cigarettes.

Nixon was not disappointed with the results of the veto session. His office issued a news release the next day titled: "Following successful effort to defeat special interest tax breaks, Gov. Nixon releases more than $140 million for education."

The governor - who had used vetoes and withholdings to leverage his actions - released $143.6 million for local public school districts and higher education institutions.

"Presented with a clear choice between supporting local schools and siding with special interests," Nixon said, "the General Assembly yesterday stood with us and made the right decision to invest in the best economic development tool there is: public education."

We also are not disappointed with the results of the veto session.

Republican support to restore funding for needed social services, fiscal restraint and a renewed focus on the big picture are encouraging developments.