T. J. Berry Wants Special Session With Veto Session to Settle Tax Cut Bill Dispute August 29, 2013

One of the sponsors of the tax cut bill that may prompt a big veto fight next month, wants Governor Jay Nixon to call a special session to deal with the differences.
Clay County Representative T. J. Berry says he’s asking Governor Nixon to call a special session to run at the same time as next month’s veto session.
That session begins on September 11.
Berry says that is the time to take up the disputes between lawmakers and the Governor over the tax cut bill, HB 253.
Republicans says the $700 million dollar bill will cut taxes, and spur Missouri’s economy. They also hope it will allow Missouri to compete economically with bordering states like Kansas.
Governor Nixon vetoed the bill. He has campaigned much of the summer, saying it has major problems.
Nixon thinks the bill will harm education in Missouri.
He also says there is a flaw in the bill that would increase the costs of prescription drugs for older Missourians.
Republicans concede that might be a problem. They maintain, however, it can be repaired by the legislature.
‘Let’s get it done”, said Berry Thursday afternoon.
He says a special session, by law, can last up to 10 days.
Berry believes that is enough time for Republicans in the Legislature and the Democratic Governor, to “address the issues he brought up,” said Berry.
Berry said he decided to move on the special session idea after Attorney General Chris Koster issued an opinion Thursday on the tax cut bill (see previous post).
Koster wrote it is his office’s opinion, there is language in the bill that lets Missouri taxpayers collect tax refunds retroactively for three years prior to the enactment of the bill.
The Koster ruling is viewed as a victory for Nixon and those who oppose the bill.
The September veto session may be one of the biggest showdowns between the Democratic Governor and the Republican majorities in the legislature since Nixon took office.
Nixon has vetoed more than two dozen bills, the most ever after a single session of the legislature since he’s been in office.
House Speaker Tim Jones has indicated lawmakers may try to override most, if not all, of Nixon’s vetoes.