Nixon Allows Abortion Language Bill to Become Law

Jefferson City, MO – Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed and vetoed several bills Wednesday, the final day for action on legislation passed during the 2010 regular session.

First, Governor Nixon signed legislation creating new ethics rules. It restricts money transfers between political committees and allows the Missouri Ethics Commission to launch its own investigations, instead of waiting for complaints to be filed by others. But it does not restore campaign contribution limits, which Democrats had been calling for.

Nixon will also allow one bill to become law without his signature: It expands the information that must be given to women before having an abortion. It means clinics will face new mandates to offer women ultrasound images and heartbeats of their fetuses.

The governor also vetoed several bills, including one that would have created state funds for receiving federal stimulus and education dollars.