A Missouri House committee has endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at giving lawmakers a check on the governor's budget power.
The proposal by House Republican Todd Richardson would allow the Legislature to override budget cuts made by the governor with a two-thirds vote. Currently, the governor can control the rate at which appropriations are spent and reduce spending when revenues are below the estimates upon which the budget is based.
The House General Laws Committee endorsed the measure Tuesday following a hearing. If approved by both chambers, the constitutional amendment would go to a statewide vote.
Democratic Governor Jay Nixon and the Republican-controlled Legislature have been at odds in recent years over the governor's withholding of appropriated funds.