Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee chair Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) says the “votes weren’t there” in the Senate last week to override any of the 14 budget bills overridden by the GOP-controlled Missouri House. That included restoration of $1.4 million for Columbia-based Missouri Task Force One and $2-million for Missouri National Guard reenlistment incentives. The Senate did not take up any of the overrides last week, and Chairman Hough tells listeners that it’s simple and involves math. Overriding a veto in the Senate requires at least 23 votes. He also praises the approximately $50-billion budget signed recently by Governor Parson, noting it contains $2.8 billion to rebuild and expand I-70 to six lanes from Wentzville to Blue Springs and another $300-million for a new mental health hospital in Kansas City. Chairman Hough also addressed the spending criticism he received last week on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” from one of his colleagues, State Sen. William Eigel (R-Weldon Spring):
(LISTEN): Missouri Task Force One and Missouri National Guard reenlistment incentives get attention at veto session
The GOP-controlled Missouri House overrode 14 budget bills that were vetoed this summer by Republican Governor Mike Parson (R), but the Senate did not take up any of the overrides on Wednesday afternoon.
Parson issued 201 line-item vetoes this summer, totaling more than $555-million. State Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) successful urged her House colleagues to override the governor’s veto of Missouri Task Force One funding.
“This is restoring $1.4 million to Missouri Task Force One. It is based out of my county of Boone, but this helps every county in Missouri and every state in this country. And I appreciate your all’s consideration,” Representative Reisch said on the House floor.
The Missouri House voted 121-26 to override Parson’s veto of Task Force One funding. They only needed 109 votes. Governor Parson says the money wasn’t included in his budget blueprint. Senate Appropriations Committee chair State Sen. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) declined to seek a vote on any of the 14 bills overridden by the House. Senator Hough said he didn’t think there were enough Senate votes to override any of the 14. It takes a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override a veto.
Another veto that was overridden by the House on Wednesday involves $2-million for Missouri National Guard reenlistment incentives. That was a top priority for House Veterans Committee chair Dave Griffith (R-Jefferson City), who urged his House colleagues to override Parson.
“As we all know right now in our country, we have a real need for young men and women to join our military service. Those that are already serving serve a real valuable service to us. In order for provide them some incentives to stay in the military is a real benefit for all of us,” says Representative Griffith.
He praises the Guard members, saying they dedicate their lives to serving Missouri and the country. The governor says the money was not included in his budget blueprint.
UPDATE: Two members of Missouri Task Force One flying to flooded Vermont
The Boone County Fire Protection District says two members of Columbia-based Missouri Task Force One (MO-TF1) are being deployed to Vermont this morning to assist with serious and life-threatening flooding.
Vermont State Police say dangerous and catastrophic flooding is happening across Vermont and the northeastern U.S. Boone County Fire assistant chief Gale Blomenkamp tells 939 the Eagle that the two Task Force One members are flying to Vermont. He says their work will involve management and oversight coordination.
NBC News reports flash flood warnings are in effect this morning for much of Vermont. Vermont television station WCAX reports the Winooski River in Essex Junction is expected to enter flood stage this morning and crest by this afternoon.
Some areas of Vermont have already received eight inches of rain, with several additional inches expected. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders tweeted last night that President Biden’s chief of staff assured him that a federal disaster declaration will be signed soon.
Major Centralia manufacturer getting extra orders after Hurricane Ian
Hurricane Ian’s devastating impact on Florida has kept Boone County’s largest manufacturer busy.
Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI) executive vice president Bernie Andrews tells 939 the Eagle that REDI staff and board members toured the Hubbell Power Systems facility in Centralia in late September.
“The day we were there was the day after the hurricane in Florida. So they told us they were getting a lot of orders for utility product shipped down there to repair the damage that was done in Florida. So we’re glad that they’re a large employer here in Boone County,” Andrews says.
Mr. Andrews briefed dozens of Columbia-area business leaders at the recent REDI board meeting. Hubbell makes numerous products, including pole line hardware.
“It’s the largest manufacturer in Boone County. It employs about 700 or so. Doing great things, making products for the utility industry”
Centralia’s massive 1.4 million square feet Hubbell campus includes its forging and stamping plants, and its centralized distribution center. The plants were acquired as part of the 1994 A-B Chance acquisition.
A 55-member team from Columbia-based Missouri Task Force One assisted with search and rescue operations in both the Orlando and Fort Myers areas, after the hurricane.