Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed 28 bills passed by state lawmakers during the recent regular legislative session. Now, the question is “will lawmakers convene a veto override session?” House speaker Clay Schexnayder says state law requires House & Senate members to vote NOT to have one, otherwise they are scheduled automatically. He says ballots for that vote went out this week.
“We turn to the body to make sure that we have the support there…and if us and the Senate are on board, then that will take place,” said Schexnayder.
Schexnayder says some lawmakers are more than ready to have one, after the Governor vetoed their bills that would have sent state education dollars to private or homeschooled students who read below their grade level…barred discrimination based on one’s vaccination status…stiffened penalties for killers of cops or first responders and others. He also says there are also members who’re not anxious for another special session.
“They’re not necessarily as keen on trying to go back and do a veto override. Some of them are…”
Lawmakers must return the ballots sent to them by the 11th. Schexnayder says a simple majority of members voting NOT to convene will cancel the override session. He says the House & Senate are also aware of the money already spent this year on legislative actions…:
“It’s a huge endeavor to go in and use taxpayer dollars and…go in and then not be able to accomplish our goal, but…we’ll look at. We’ll see what happens with the ballots when they come in.”
Schexnayder says he would prefer to have the override session, but he’ll abide by the will of members. He says vetoed bills can be re-visited next year.
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