Time is running out for Nixon to choose one of three actions on the pile of legislation sitting on his desk. He can sign, veto, or ignore the bills. If he ignores a bill, it is considered to have passed without the governor’s signature.

One choice was announced late yesterday. Nixon vetoed the 72-hour wait for abortions.

ABC affiliate KSPR reported that Mr. Nixon, a Democrat, said the legislature’s failure to insert an exception for rape and incest “demonstrates a callous disregard for women who find themselves in horrific circumstances and would make Missouri one of just two states in the nation to take such an extreme step.”

“Lengthening the already extensive waiting period 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,” he continued. — Washington Times.

That last statement just makes no sense. The act, whether consensual or not, happened some time ago. Even the best of tests cannot detect pregnancy immediately after the fact. So, some time has pasted, at least a month, probably more. Why is waiting just 72 more hours horrific?

It’s not.

Nixon just bowed to pressure from the ACLU and abortionists who want no restraint nor constraint on abortions. Then he made up this flimsy excuse. Typical of a democrat.

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A question a number of people have asked me is, “When is a bill considered to have passed without Nixon’s signature?” That is a bit difficult, but according to what I’ve found, that date should be July 14, 2014. The calculation is 15 or 45 days from the date of transmittal after passage of the bill in the legislature. If the bill was passed early in the session, it is 15 days, otherwise it is 45 days.

According to the MO SOS website, the transmittal date for those bills passed late in the legislative session was May 30, 2014. From that date, you can do your own math.

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There are a number of Amendments on the ballot come the Primary election. I’ve stolen borrowed the summary below from Andrea Plunkett.

Your August Ballot

When you head to the voting booth on August 5th, you’ll see a number of Constitutional Amendment issues on the ballot. Here’s an overview of what they do:

Amendment 1- Right to Farm
This amendment would give Missouri voters the opportunity to enact a constitutional amendment that affirms the right of farmers and ranchers to engage in farming and ranching practices. Upon voter approval, it would “ensure that the right of Missouri citizens to engage in agricultural production and ranching practices shall not be infringed.

A yes vote will amend the Missouri Constitution.

A no vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding farming and ranching.

If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

Amendment 5- Right to Keep and Bear Arms
This amendment would reinforce the right of Missouri citizens to keep and bear arms, ammunition and accessories in defense of their family in addition to the current rights to protect a person’s home, property or themselves. The amendment would remove the language that states that the right ot keep and bear arms does not justify the wearing of concealed weapons. The amendment would make these rights inalienable and obligate the state of Missouri to uphold these liberties and under no circumstance decline to protect against their infringement. The amendment does not prevent the legislature from limiting the rights of certain felons and certain individuals adjudicated as having a mental order.

A yes vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to expand the right to keep and bear arms.

A no vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution.

If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

Amendment 7- Transportation Sales Tax
This amendment allows voters to decide whether to pay more in sales tax to provide additional funding for Missouri’s roads and highways. It would raise the state sales tax by three quarters of a percent to generate around $534 million each year for maintenance and construction projects for the state’s transportation infrastructure. If approved, the tax increase would take place in 2015 and be in effect for 10 years. It would require that these measures be re-approved by voters every 10 years.

A yes vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to increase funding for road, bridge, highway and public transportation initiatives by increasing sales/use tax by three quarters of a percent for 10 years.

A no vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution.

If passed, this measure will increase the state sales/use tax.

Amendment 8- Veterans Lottery Ticket
This amendment would create a new lottery ticket which would raise funds for veteran’s programs. If approved, the Missouri Lottery would create a new ticket and the proceeds of sales would be deposited into the Veterans Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund, which is used to fund construction and maintenance for veterans’ homes and cemeteries in the state.

A yes vote will amend the Missouri Constitution “Veterans Lottery Ticket.”

A no vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution to create a “Veterans Lottery Ticket.”

If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

Amendment 9- Electronic Privacy
This amendment would protect Missourians’ electronic information from unwarranted seizure. It would amend the state constitution to protect email, cell phone data and other electronic information in the same way it current protects the papers, homes and effects of a person from warrantless search and seizure.

A yes vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to specify that electronic data and communications have protection from unreasonable searches and seizures.

A no vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution.

If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

I would like to draw your attention to Amendment #7, the sales tax increase. Why am I doing that? Because the entire amendment is a fraud. It purports to be a tax increase to support highway infrastructure. In reality, it’s a ploy by the construction unions and their sycophant construction companies to fleece Missouri taxpayer.

St Louis and Kansas City have been whining for years about their inability to maintain their streets and bridges. In reality, the state has been funding a large part of that maintenance out of the highway fund—as designed. However, the large metropolitan cities did now keep their half of the deal. Instead of funding the rest of the money to actually do that maintenance, they spent it elsewhere—most to black-hole “community projects.”

Don’t be fooled by this amendment. It’s a ripoff. If the city streets and bridges are in disrepair, blame the cities for wasting the funds, don’t increase the sales tax to fund more wastage.