Release Cottonwood funds

Gov. Nixon,

During Wednesday's veto session, the Legislature sustained seven of the eight tax-exemption bills you vetoed earlier this summer.

Throughout this year's legislative session you remained passively on the sidelines, refusing to work with lawmakers for much-needed tax relief. When the General Assembly passed a series of tax breaks on the last day of session, you derided them as "Friday Favors" and claimed they were the reason for your cutting and withholding more than $1 billion from the state's FY 2015 budget.

During this week's veto session, the only one of the so-called "Friday Favors" lawmakers overrode was a measure to exempt taxes from products sold at farmers markets. The fiscal note for that provision, less than $1 million, is insignificant in comparison to your cuts and withholds.

There now exists no supportable rationale for your decision to close Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center in Cape Girardeau. You got what you wanted. Now release the $500,000 that will allow this crucial treatment facility to continue to serve our state's most vulnerable children and their families. Missouri cannot afford to lose this facility, especially not over petty and cynical political posturing. I urge your swift action.

Sincerely,

Peter D. Kinder,

lieutenant governor of Missouri, Cape Girardeau