Senate votes to override Nixon's workers' comp veto

The Missouri Senate late last week voted to override Gov. Jay Nixon's veto of Senate Bill 572, a measure that would reform the state's workers' compensation system.

The body voted 24-9 in favor of overriding the bill, which Nixon vetoed March 16, according to a news release from the Senate. In vetoing the bill, Nixon said it would downgrade the current law by weakening the "important workplace protections that are part of our laws and regulations."

SB 572 would require that occupational diseases be exclusively covered under workers' compensation laws and would remove the possibility for co-worker liability in the event of workplace injuries or death.

“Spurring job creation is one of our biggest priorities, so it was important for the Senate to act on the governor’s veto,” said bill sponsor and Senate Majority Floor Leader Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, in the March 29 release. “It is vital we are moving forward with fixing the current failed policies in place so businesses will begin to invest and hire more employees.

“Ending lawsuit abuses and relieving the need for additional insurance to cover honest accidents at work would help employers put more Missourians back to work.”   

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry and chambers statewide, including the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, had identified workers' compensation reform among its legislative priorities.

“The legislation brings common-sense changes, so that co-employee liability and occupational disease can be handled by our workers’ compensation system, as has been the case for decades, and not be used as a new money stream for enterprising trial attorneys," Daniel Mehan, president and CEO of the Missouri chamber, said in a separate news release. “I am proud of the Senate for continuing to be champions for Missouri businesses"

Scott Holste, a spokesman for Nixon, said this morning via e-mail that the governor wouldn't be issuing a statement in response to the Senate's override of his veto.

The Senate's override now moves to the Missouri House for consideration. In order to override the governor's veto, both the Senate and House need a two-thirds majority vote. According to Senate.Mo.Gov, 109 affirmative votes are needed in the House to fully override the veto.