The New Hampshire Senate voted Wednesday to give governors the power to veto separate spending items in legislation.
The Senate's 19-5 party-line vote Wednesday sends the proposed constitutional change to the House. The proposal would give governors what is known as line-item veto authority.
Under the proposal, a spending item vetoed by a governor would be sent back to the Legislature for reconsideration. If the Legislature failed to override the veto, the cut would take effect.
To be enacted, the amendment now needs support from 60 percent of House to be placed on a statewide ballot and then two-thirds approval from New Hampshire voters.
Senate Democratic Leader Sylvia Larsen of Concord opposed the measure as upsetting the balance of power between the Legislature and chief executive.
State Sen. Lou D'Allesandro, D-Manchester, also opposed giving one person authority to cut spending. He argued the Legislature's size makes it representative of the people's wishes.
But Senate Republican Leader Jeb Bradley of Wolfeboro argued line item veto power will work as a check on unnecessary legislative spending.
"The balance of power will tip in favor of the taxpayers," said state Sen. David Boutin, R-Hooksett.
No comments:
Post a Comment