INDReporter

Bills target governor's veto pen

by Walter Pierce

House Bills 31 and 32 would, respectively, require state lawmakers to hold a veto-override session following each annual spring legislative session and take away Louisiana governors’ ability to issue line-item vetoes on appropriations bills.

A pair of bills pre-filed for the 2015 legislative session beginning in April take aim at the veto power of Louisiana governors.

House Bills 31 and 32 by Rep. Dee Richard, I-Thibodaux, one of only two member of the Legislature with no party identification, would, respectively, require state lawmakers to hold a veto-override session following each annual spring legislative session and take away Louisiana governors’ ability to issue line-item vetoes on appropriations bills. Currently a simple majority of state lawmakers can vote to decline holding a veto-override session and Louisiana governors have wielded the veto pen to punish lawmakers who oppose them by targeting state appropriations within their districts.

Both bills are written as constitutional amendments, meaning they would need a two-thirds vote by the Legislature and approval by voters statewide in order to become law.