Read on Twitter
Thread: Today, Gov. Ricketts vetoed a high number of substantive bills all at once. Each bill, most of which were introduced by registered Ds, passed with support from the public and from other senators after making it through the punishing scrutiny of the Legislative process. https://twitter.com/LJSLegislature/status/1295468133268979717
Each of these pieces of legislation was sent to the Governor in good shape — years of research, hearings, amendments, rounds of debate. But because of scheduling decisions made by Speaker Jim Scheer, the Legislature will not be able to return to override any of these vetoes.
This is about the leadership of the Legislature colluding with the Governor to thwart the the legislative agenda that a majority saw fit to enact. The Governor benefits from the knowledge that, with support from the Speaker, his vetos cannot be overridden.
This validates what I have said throughout the session about the Speaker, Lt. Gov, and Gov colluding to promote an agenda that is separate from the will of the people. This is not how separate branches operate, and in today’s political climate, it is not even hidden.
If my colleagues don’t understand this, then these pocket vetos will continue to happen.
The Nebraska Legislature has got to be independent, and that has to be our top value going into 2021. The public must demand it.
The Nebraska Legislature has got to be independent, and that has to be our top value going into 2021. The public must demand it.
Toplines on the bills vetoed:
LB 238, Senator Patty Pansing Brooks: This bill requires additional transparency during executions and was introduced after what many believe was a botched execution of Carey Dean Moore in 2018.
LB 238, Senator Patty Pansing Brooks: This bill requires additional transparency during executions and was introduced after what many believe was a botched execution of Carey Dean Moore in 2018.
LB 515, Senator Tony Vargas: This bill provided consistency and fairness for students who are disciplined in schools. It advanced from committee unanimously and had no opposition testimony.
LB 607, Senator Mark Kolterman: This bill modernized licensing regulations for nail technologists and body art. It also allowed for technologists and aestheticians practices to take their licensing exam in multiple languages.
LB 1004, Senator Steve Lathrop: This bill would make people convicted of offenses automatically eligible for parole within two years of their mandatory discharge date, unless their sentence provides for an earlier parole eligibility date. It had no opposition in committee.
LB 1089, Senator Tony Vargas: This bill required high school students to complete the FAFSA, increasing the opportunity for students to obtain affordable federal and state loans and grants to make higher education more affordable and attainable. It had no opposition testimony.
This is in addition to another pocket veto on Senator Machaela Cavanaugh’s LB 1060, which would have protected people of color from workplace discrimination based on their hairstyles. It was vetoed August 15th.
The Governor benefits from the knowledge that, with support from the Speaker, his vetos cannot be overridden. Voters, notice this. Notice the process, the corruption and rejection of norms, and support candidates on November 3 who will protect the integrity of our institution.
