Veto override fails on Mo. student curator bill

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri lawmakers have failed to override Gov. Matt Blunt's veto of a bill that could have given voting rights to the student member of the University of Missouri Board of Curators.

Sponsoring Sen. Chuck Graham made a motion Wednesday to override Blunt's veto. But the Columbia Democrat picked up little support from Republicans.

His effort failed by a 16-17 vote. But it wasn't actually that close. A veto override needs 23 votes in the Senate.

The measure would have given voting rights to the university's student curator if Missouri loses a congressional district as a result of the 2010 census. The student member would not have been allowed to vote on most hiring and firing decisions.