LEGISLATORS DELIBERATE ON VETOES

Freshman Republican State Rep. Mark Richardson is contemplating whether to seek an override of a $25,000 appropriation withheld by Gov. John Ashcroft for a new National Guard armory in Poplar Bluff.

The $25,000 was regarded as a good faith gesture by the state that it would eventually put up the $820,000 needed to secure the remainder of the $2.5 million project funding from the federal government.

Richardson said he is "giving serious consideration" to seeking an override of the withholding at this week's veto session of the General Assembly.

"I am greatly disappointed and concerned that the governor vetoed it," said Richardson. "The veto is contrary to what I believed to be a commitment from his office when we were able to get the funding in the budget. I am going to assess whether the veto will have a negative impact on our ability to secure this federal funding, which is the cornerstone of the whole thing."

Rep. Joe Driskill, D-Poplar Bluff, said he would like to see Richardson attempt to get the start-up money back in the budget for the armory.

Both Driskill and Richardson point out that there is strong support from community leaders in Poplar Bluff to get the funding process started.

"I thought it was a cheap move on the part of the governor because $25,000 is not going to make or break our budget, but it could pretty well set the stage for the state's share of adequate funding for this project," explained Driskill.

He noted that two years ago the money was appropriated, but was taken out of a reappropriation bill by the governor.

Richardson said that while he is upset over the withholding, a decision to seek an override will be made on the basis of what is good for his district, not because he is upset.

"If I determine reinstatement of $25,000 to the state budget will improve our chances of getting federal funding, then I will seriously consider it," declared Richardson. "I don't intend to do anything out of personal anger or vindictiveness; I will do what is best for my constituents, regardless of party lines."

Driskill said he supports the new armory, not only to help Poplar Bluff, but because it would enable a unit in Ripley County to become a sister unit of Poplar Bluff rather than West Plains. By doing so, Driskill said the unit could change its emphasis from military police to a more general emphasis, which would help recruiting.

Driskill said he is opposed to further closing of National Guard armories and having a new facility in Poplar Bluff would reduce the likelihood of it being closed in the future.

Veto overrides are difficult to obtain since a two-thirds margin is required in both houses. In the Senate it takes 23 votes and in the House it takes 109 votes.

Gov. Ashcroft vetoed about 20 bills passed during the 1992 session and most area legislators predict little chance of an override of any regular bills passed during the session.

Richardson's effort would be related to a line item withholding in appropriations by Ashcroft.

A bill that would allow for Sunday liquor sales may be brought up on the floor, but it is doubtful enough support is available for passage in the Democrat-controlled legislature. Generally, to have an override, all Democrats must vote together and then recruit a few Republicans to support the override.

Driskill said he knows of some Democrats who will vote against Sunday liquor sales.

"It has been pretty quiet," said Driskill. "Most of the issues vetoed probably deserved to be."

Richardson added, "I have not seen a groundswell of support for a veto on any particular measure, though Sunday liquor sales keeps popping up."

Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn, D-Sikeston, said he is not aware of any bill that stands a chance. While in the Capitol, Ziegenhorn said he will work with other legislators on issues for the 1993 session, including reform of workers compensation.

Rep. Herb Fallert, D-Ste. Genevieve, noted, "I don't think it's going to amount to much. It will be quiet like it has been in past years ... there won't be much going on."

Fallert said one bill he has had some meetings on pertains to a law prohibiting landfills from being located within one mile of a state park.

Sen. Danny Staples, D-Eminence, sponsored that measure and says he has gotten some support from Senate colleagues. "We will definitely take it up, but I don't know if it will make it," said Staples.

Some St. Louis officials are trying to get a police retirement bill overridden. The bill would have increased benefits for St. Louis police officers. It was opposed by Mayor Vince Schoemehl; in retaliation, the police officers vigorously opposed Schoemehl's bid for the Democratic nomination for governor.

"I can assure you of one thing," said Staples, a Schoemehl supporter in the primary. "The St. Louis police retirement bill is not going to be overridden. There are 13 senators on record who supported Vince Schoemehl. After what the police officers did to him in St. Louis, I doubt they get a pay raise or retirement bill in the next decade."

Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Ken~nett, agrees no bill appears to stand a serious chance of being overriden. "I have not heard enough talk about any one issue that would lead me to believe there is enough interest to override a veto," said Thomason.

"You get down to this time of year that you've got some people up there with some real serious races. Any time you vote on a veto override you stick your neck out on some issue," explained Thomason.

Veto overrides are rare and have occurred only twice in the state's history.

Staples says his experience overriding vetoes has not been good.

He recalled voting to successfully override a veto of funding for the Truman Office Building by former Gov. Joe Teasdale. Staples regrets his vote.

"Every time I go in that building I wish I hadn't voted for it," observed the senator. "There is so much wasted space in that building. I loved Harry Truman, but I don't think Harry Truman would want his name on that building."

Lawmakers will go into session Wednesday morning and will adjourn Thursday.