The Missouri Legislature has upheld Gov. Jay Nixon's veto of a bill that would have changed how public-sector union members pay dues.
The Senate voted 22-10 early Friday morning, falling one vote short of the two-thirds majority necessary to override a veto. The House voted last week to override it.
The legislation would have required public employees to annually reauthorize paying their dues through paycheck withholdings. It would have also required those unions to make financial records available to workers.
Opponents called the measure an attempt to weaken unions. Supporters argued workers will benefit from more union transparency.
Democratic Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal voted for the measure when it initially passed, saying unions have mistreated minorities.
But she changed her vote Friday, saying she thinks unions are taking her concerns seriously.