A tax cut bill that could have led to cuts in higher education funding fell short of receiving the votes needed to override Gov. Jay Nixon’s veto.

The House of Representatives voted 94 to 60 in favor of an override, short of the 109 votes needed for the override to go through.

Supporters and detractors of the bill filled the chamber to testify and listen to representatives.

Two hours into the veto session,House Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka, threatened to kick out the entire viewing gallery after it applauded for several representatives.

Many education officials opposed the bill.

“Most of those people (who are against the bill) have never studied the issue,” said Carl Bearden, United for Missouri executive director.

Although the bill would have reduced taxes for individuals and businesses, opponents of the bill argued the decrease in tax revenue would lead to cuts in education.

The bill would have meant substantial cuts to MU, Rep. Margo McNeil, D-St. Louis, said.

“We are talking big money withheld from this year’s budget,” McNeil said.

The bill also included a tax on textbooks for higher education students, including those at the MU.

“A tax on textbooks, for students particularly taking a full course load, could amount to $200 a semester,” McNeil said. “That’s a lot of money. $200 or $400 a year added to the student’s cost of college education.”