JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri Senate successfully voted to override three of Gov. Bob Holden’s vetoes last week. Historically lawmakers have only been able to override a total of seven vetoes by a Missouri governor.

"This is truly an historic day for the State of Missouri and for the General Assembly," said Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, who voted in favor of overriding all three bills. "No other legislature has been successful in overriding three vetoes in one day and no other governor has had three of his vetoes struck down."

In a 23-10 vote, the Senate voted in favor of concealed weapons bill, a measure that has had strong support in Southwest Missouri for many years. The new law will take effect in 30 days.

To qualify for permits, applicants must be least 23-years-old, successfully complete a training course and pass a detailed criminal background check. Anyone with a felony conviction, violent misdemeanor conviction or who was subject to a protection order would not qualify. The measure also addresses the issue of applicants with a history of mental illness.

"In telephone calls, e-mails and letters to me, the people of the 32nd District expressed their outrage at the governor’s veto of this bill," said Nodler. "There are many law abiding citizens who feel they need to protect themselves and their families in this manner. In all of the states that have this law, crime has fallen."

With a vote of 25-8 lawmakers struck down the governor’s veto of a bill requiring a 24-hour waiting period for all abortions.

"The decision to have an abortion is the most serious a woman can make," Nodler said. "I think with another 24 hours, we might see the number of abortions drop dramatically."

The Missouri House of Representatives overrode both of these measures on Wednesday by a substantial margin.

Finally in a 23-10 vote, the Senate overrode the governor’s veto of a bill that would restrict the ability of governments to sue gun manufacturers.

This legislation would prohibit cities, counties and the state from suing gun manufacturers.

In addition, it would place into state law an assertion that the "lawful design, marketing, manufacture, distribution or sale of firearms or ammunition to the public is not an abnormally dangerous activity and does not constitute a public or private nuisance."

The House is expected to vote on this override on Friday.

Two bills co-sponsored by Nodler failed to receive enough votes to be overridden.

Legislation that would have reformed Missouri’s tort laws received a 21-12 vote. While a bill that would have set up a Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board received an 18-12 vote. A total of 23 votes are needed to override a veto.

"I think both of these measures would have helped Missouri rebound from its current economic problems," said Nodler. "These votes were along party lines, and it’s a tragedy that lawmakers allowed politics to get in the way of good legislation."

Lookin’ at the weather forecast for the next week or so, it appears that we’ll have a pretty typical September. Guess summer, weather-wise, is ‘bout over.

With Maple Leaf a month away, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, but I’m not ready for those fall chores. I’m in my typical mode of just gettin’ ‘round to those spring things.

‘Course football season has been on for the last couple a weeks, always the first indicator of the comin’ weather transition. I’ve noticed that the sweaters are bein’ displayed in the stores and Halloween candy is on the shelves.

Time ta check the root cellar and stock up the wood pile. Pull out the quilts and air out the feather bed. Clean the chimney and check the antifreeze.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Keeping Pests Out

Q: We’ve developed a bit of a bug problem in our home lately, and we’re not sure why. The exterminator is coming next week, but what caused this problem? We’ve never had trouble before. — Elias K., Kennesaw, Ga.

A: If you clean your home regularly (and of course you do), and bugs suddenly appear, a change in the environment around the house — inside or out — is often to blame. The abundance of multi-legged pests can be caused by anything from a change in normal weather patterns, a shift in the location of certain items, or undetected access points to the house (such as cracks in the foundation).

Check your home, inside and out. Inspect the outside walls and foundation for cracks or holes and patch any you find. Check all windows and doors, and make sure they fit snugly in their frames. If a window is drafty (signaling a possible access point), add weatherstripping or caulk around the drafty area. Inspect screens for holes or rips, and repair any you find.

Check out foliage near the foundation of your house. Are foundation plants (shrubs or ground covers) located right up against the wall? If so, prune the branches back a few inches. If they’re planted very close to the foundation, consider removing them and replanting shrubs farther out from the wall, so that encroaching roots don’t damage the foundation and create an entry point.

Now, note the location of potential trouble spots. Extra-large bags of pet food shouldn’t be stored inside the house; tuck them into a dry, elevated spot in the garage (always check carefully before reaching in to scoop out food, in case an unfriendly animal is rooting around in there, too. Trust me, I know). Or, store pet food in a large plastic container that can be sealed tightly. Don’t store firewood inside the house either, since woodpiles often harbor various pests, including spiders and roaches. Store it outside, at least 12 feet from the foundation. Keep the compost pile away from the house, too.

In the kitchen, store all food, including dry goods, in airtight containers. Clean up leftovers from dinner immediately, and don’t allow food to be eaten in other areas of the house. It’s inconvenient, but will limit the range of pests and make it easier to eradicate them.