Three vetoes by the Governor – will the General Assembly override?
Two days left in the 2011-12 session.
One historic session with the Republicans in charge for the first time on over 100 years.
In the last few days the governor has vetoed three bills which now come back over to the General Assembly where they can let the veto stand (and the bill dies) or they can override the veto and enact the law over her objections. In order to override, 2/3s of the members voting and present must vote “aye” to override.
The Republicans hold 31 of the 50 seats in the Senate ensuring a straight party vote would sustain an override but in the House, the Republican majority at 68 is four votes short of the 72 required for an override vote. Of course those numbers change if not all 50 members of the Senate and 120 members of the House are present and voting for the overrides.
If the original vote is any indication the chances of the General Assembly overriding Governor’s Perdue’s vetoes are pretty good.
When House Bill 950, the 2012 budget bill was originally passed in the House passed the vote was 71 to 45, with 4 members not voting. Representatives Brisson, Crawford, Hill, Owens and McLawhorn joined the Republican majority in voting yes. The Senate voted 30-15 in favor of the budget with 5 members (4 democrats, 1 Republican) not voting. Since House Bill 950 originated in the House, the House will consider the override first and if successful, send it over to the Senate.
Senate Bill 416 amends the death penalty procedure and in essence repeals the Racial Justice Act. The vote in the Senate was 30-18 along party lines. with I Democrat and 1 Republican absent that day. The vote in the House was 73-47. Democrats Brisson, Crawford, Hill, Owens and Spear joined Republicans in voting yes. Since Senate Bill 416 started in the Senate, the Senate will have the first go at an override and if successful, will send it over to the House for their consideration.
Senate Bill 820 is the clean energy, hydraulic exploration of natural gas bill. The vote in the Senate was 29-15. Senators Jenkins (D- Edgecombe) and Walters (D-Hoke) voted with the majority of Republicans while Senators Hunt (R-Wake) and Stevens (R-Wake) joined the majority of Democrats in voting no. Six Senators (4 Democrats; 2 Republicans) did not vote. The vote in the House was 66-43 with eleven members not voting. Representatives Kelly Alexander and Rodney Moore crossed party lines to vote with most of the Republicans while Representatives Holloway and McGrady joined the Democrats in voting no. The Senate will attempt to override Senate Bill 820 first and, if successful will send it to the House.
The short session is quickly coming to an end. Expect the veto override votes Monday and Tuesday.
Republicans will wrap up their first session in charge of the General Assembly in over a century having overridden more gubernatorial vetoes than ever before in North Carolina.
