By Dave Andrusko

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon (D) was busy wielding his pen last legislative session, vetoing nearly three dozen bills. Beginning next Wednesday, the legislature will consider all of them, including two of special interest to pro-lifers. A two-thirds vote in both houses is required to override a veto.
As NRL News Today reported HR 1307 (which passed with overwhelming legislative support) extends the current 24-hour reflection period to 72 hours after an ultrasound and alternatives to abortion information has been offered to her before a woman has an abortion.
But 2/3rds is a high hurdle to overcome. Pro-life leaders are cautiously optimistic.
For reasons of his own, Nixon had allowed three previous pro-life measures to become law without his signature. Some may have thought he might do the same for HB 1307.
Nixon not only chose to veto the bill, he doubled-down in his veto message.
“Lengthening the already extensive waiting period,” he wrote, “serves no demonstrable purpose other than to create emotional and financial hardships for women who have undoubtedly already spent considerable time wrestling with perhaps the most difficult decision they may ever have to make. …This is insulting to women….”
Yesterday, with the veto session only a few days away, Nixon reiterated his opposition to the measure. Noteworthy is that in one breath Nixon said the bill lacked certain provisions and in the next said he would have vetoed HB 1307 even if the bill had included the provisions.
“Missouri Right to Life PAC has worked hard to send pro-life legislators to Jefferson City in order to have a veto-proof majority,” said Pam Fichter, President of Missouri Right to Life . “Both the 72 hour reflection period bill and the tax credits for pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes allow women the time they need to weigh heavily a decision that will affect them the rest of their lives—taking the life of an innocent child.”
Pro-lifers are also hoping to override a veto of an increase in tax credits for donors to alternatives to abortion agencies. HB 1132 would increase by $500,000 the amount of state tax credits made available to each of three programs: pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes and food pantries.
An attempt to override Nixon’s veto will begin in the House.
These organizations “help women to choose life for their unborn children by providing the necessary tangible support which she might not be able to receive otherwise,” the Respect Life Apostolate of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.