Rumor has it that Governor Nixon will sign SB 113 based on a demand by the Tilley, Loehner, and Parson that they won’t consider his “compromise” bill unless he does so.
Leaving aside this being a politically stupid move, the demand for a signature on SB 113 is nothing more than a way for the SB 113 supporters to gloat about their control—over the state, over the state leadership, and over the will of the people of Missouri.
If Governor Nixon vetoes SB 113, these same leaders would hustle their butts in order to ensure the “compromise” is passed. So the question is: is Nixon as politically astute as some people claim him to be? Not if Department of Agriculture’s Jon Hagler’s appearance at the pro-SB 113 rally is any indication.
In his speech to the SB 113 supporters, Hagler stated that “Missourians, not outside state interests, control our state’s future”. I have to wonder who Hagler think voted for Proposition B last November. Last I heard, you had to be a resident of this state in order to vote in Missouri.
By his statement, does Dr. Hagler consider St. Louis, Kansas City, and all the urban centers that voted for Proposition B to be “outside state interests”? How about the people in his wife, Representative Linda Black’s, district? They voted for Proposition B—does that mean the people in Representative Black’s district are somehow “outside state interests”, too?
We assume that Dr. Hagler meant HSUS with his little quip. I guess a national organization is an “outside interest”. Does this mean, then, that lobbyists from the NRA will also be shown the door in Jefferson City? After all, it was lobbyists from NRA, another national organization, and hence an “outside interest”, who helped overturn the voter-approved measure on conceal carry.
Let’s be blunt, gentlemen: what you’re saying with your actions and your speeches is that you’re not interested in representing the people of the state— not if it means going against powerful agribusiness interests. The bottom line is that the people of Missouri voted for Proposition B. To not support the people of this state is nothing more than pandering to special interests for the purposes of political expediency.
By the way, I joined the HSUS today. Since I also live in St. Louis, I guess that makes me a double-outsider to the folks in Jefferson City.
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Nixon might sign Prop B rollback as step toward compromise
