Gov. Mike Parson on Thursday officially called for a special session of the Missouri General Assembly next month. Drug treatment courts and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education will be among the items on the agenda.
“When I addressed the General Assembly nearly three months ago, I pledged that I would change the tone and work with the legislature,” Parson said in a statement. “This call is a step in delivering that promise. These two issues were a part of the General Assembly’s historic session as they passed a number of their priorities. By working together to come up with a more narrowly defined focus, we will have better served the people of Missouri.”
In vetoing the treatment courts legislation in July, Parson said it appeared unconstitutional because it included multiple subjects. He also vetoed a STEM education bill, citing a provision that appeared tailored for one company. Business leaders and companies, including Kansas City-based Cerner, spoke in favor of lawmakers tackling the legislation in the special session.
The session will begin Sept. 10 and be held concurrently with the annual veto session. Legislative leaders say the timing cuts down costs to taxpayers.
Samuel King is the Missouri government and politics reporter at KCUR 89.3. Follow him on Twitter: @SamuelKingNews
