By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri's state Constitution gives Governor Bob Holden until Monday (July 14)to either sign or veto 99 remaining measures from this year's spring session of the General Assembly. The governor's staff says he expects to complete the job by Friday.
Lawmakers passed 254 bills during the spring session. Holden has signed 148 and vetoed seven. The vetoes include the budget bills he rejected to set up a special session last month. He also vetoed a measure last week that would have allowed Missourians to carry concealed weapons. That veto has sparked discussion that lawmakers may try to override the conceal carry measure in September.
Among the measures signed are tougher nursing home standards, restrictions on the sale of over-the-counter drugs used to make methamphetamine, and an economic development package that helps downtowns fund some civic redevelopment. The package also include incentives to try to keep the Ford Motor Company's plant in Hazelwood open. Ford has said the factory will close by mid-decade.