Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has
dismissed efforts to impeach him over his decision to recognize the
marriages of gay and lesbian couples for the purposes of state tax
returns despite Missouri's ban on such unions.
Nixon, a Democrat who previously has
endorsed marriage equality, directed the Department of Revenue to
accept the combined returns of gay couples who married in a state
where such unions are legal.
The Republican-controlled House is
considering three articles of impeachment.
Nixon, who previously called the effort
“some sort of show,” on Thursday said he's not too concerned
about the proceedings, which he described as partisan politics.
“I got asked by a school kid the
other day, 'What is the hardest part of the job?' I said it's when
people are hyper partisan because I see Missourians around the
state,” he
told reporters. “People don't rush up to me and say they're a
Democrat or a Republican or whatever.”
During a visit Monday to Rockwood
Summit High School, Nixon was asked what was the toughest part of
being governor.
“When people give their reason for
doing something as being their political party, it's disappointing,” he told the students. “They should be serving everybody.”
House proceedings resume next
Wednesday.