Congressional Redistricting

NEWS RELEASE    ---     From the Office of Representative Shelley Keeney - 156^th District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:	CONTACT:    Rep. Shelley Keeney
May 13, 2011	(573) 751-5912

 Congressional Redistricting

This past week has been the most momentous so far. While we have worked hard on amending and passing many bills that have piled up from both the House and Senate, the two most important have been the budget for the upcoming year and reapportionment of congressional districts.

After lengthy negotiations, the House and Senate finally agreed on a map for redistricting of the eight congressional districts over a week ago and sent that proposal to the governor for his signature. The governor replied to all of our hard work and negotiations with a veto. By getting approval of 2/3 of both the House and Senate, though, we were able to override the governor's veto and the new congressional districts are now law. You can see the map in detail at http://house.mo.gov/largemap.aspx?map=3

The override of the governor's veto was a historic occasion and you could feel the suspense in the House chamber as the vote took place. This action also kept it from going to state judges for them to decide the district lines. This is the first time the legislature has overridden a gubernatorial veto since 2003 and there have been fewer than ten veto overrides since the Constitution first required a 2/3 majority in the 1800s.

After passing the map into law, we finished this week by passing a $23 billion balanced budget for Missouri's next fiscal year. With the slow economy and having less tax revenue to work with, we had to make some tough decisions; but unlike the federal government we here in Missouri are not taking on more debt or printing money. We are also making sure not to raise taxes on Missourians.
 
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As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns about state government. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-5912. You may write me at: Shelley Keeney; Missouri House of Representatives; State Capitol -- Room 313; Jefferson City, MO 65101-6806 or email me.