Mo. Gov. candidate Hulshof threatens vetoes for unfunded mandates

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Republican governor's candidate Kenny Hulshof threatens to veto bills imposing unfunded state mandates on local government.

Hulshof made his comments while speaking Monday to the Missouri Association of Counties.

Rival Republican gubernatorial candidate Sarah Steelman and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Nixon were to speak to the group later in the day.

Hulshof pledged to make the enforcement of an existing constitutional ban on unfunded mandates a cornerstone of his administration, if elected.

One county official asked if that meant Hulshof also would commit the state to pay part of the cost for general elections, which are currently covered by local governments. Hulshof declined to commit to that.