AREA LAWMAKERS DOUBT CARNAHAN VETOES WILL FALL

State legislators will gather in Jefferson City Wednesday at noon for what is expected to be an uneventful annual veto session. Were it not for a special session called by Gov. Mel Carnahan to deal with paying for flood damage in the state, members would be planning to head home by Thursday, adjourned until January.

With Democrats in control of both houses and the governor also a Democrat, it is unlikely any of the first six vetoes of Carnahan's administration will come close to being overridden.

An override requires a two-thirds vote in both houses -- something that has only been done twice before.

"I would sure be surprised if anything came close," said Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson. "Nothing that I know of appears to have a chance."

Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, and Schwab say they have most often heard comments about efforts to override SB-315, which was considered a landowner rights bill, and a bill that would require zero based budgeting in the state.

Even though SB-315 passed both houses with only a handful of no votes, it is unlikely that Farm Bureau, the group that has pushed the legislation, will push for it in the veto session. Kinder said it may be discussed, but it is more likely that an effort will be made to address the concerns that led Carnahan to veto the bill and then bring the measure back up in the 1994 session.

Rep. Steve Carroll, D-Hannibal, who sponsored the bill calling for zero based budgeting, has sent letters to his colleagues indicating that he will work for an override.

Carroll, who has announced he will seek the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate next year, may attempt to draw attention to the need for the concept of zero based budgeting, but area legislators think the effort is doomed to failure.

"I would say that Carroll's bill and the property rights bills are the only ones with a chance, but I haven't seen any real stirring of support," said Sen. Jerry Howard, D-Dexter.

Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, said she supports the concept of zero based budgeting and has voted for similar bills in the past.

Kasten supports an expanded version of the concept, however, that provides state agencies with a financial incentive through some discretionary spending for using the process.

"I want to give agencies some discretion over a portion of the money they save, but it is not provided in his bill," explained Kasten. "But I certainly approve of the concept and would have a hard time voting against it."

Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn, D-Sikeston, predicted the veto session will provide little more than the opportunity to meet the constitutional requirement that one be held every September.

Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, said some legislators will use the veto session to lay the groundwork to push the measure again next year.

"The way the system is, a member can stand up on the floor and raise an issue on any of the bills he vetoed. There is no question some of the sponsors will say something, but they may or may not call for an actual vote," said Thomason.

"Personally, I don't agree with all the governor's vetoes, but I think he probably had sound logic behind ones that he did. We have from him a pledge to come back and work on that legislation he vetoed next year, and I think that will satisfy most people."

Under legislative rules, a veto override must be initiated in the house of the General Assembly where it originated.