GOP floor leader asks Stumbo to reconvene House to reconsider vetos
STAFF REPORT
Monday, March 28, 2011, 2 p.m. — House Republican Floor Leader Jeff Hoover called on House Speaker Greg Stumbo to bring members of the House back to Frankfort April 6th to override some of the items vetoed Friday by Gov. Steve Beshear in House Bill 1.
“Our caucus stood in opposition to the House adjourning Sine Die because we would lose our ability to hold the Governor accountable and to override any vetoes issued on House Bill 1,” Hoover said Monday. “After having a chance to review the vetoes issued on Friday, there are numerous items Governor Beshear vetoed that cause us great concern as to his ability to generate savings within the budget.”
The list of items vetoed by Beshear were critcal components of the compromise bill the House passed on a 94-4 vote, Hoover said. “The Governor has clearly snubbed his nose at the bipartisan effort and overwhelming consensus of the House in passing the compromise on House Bill 1. The Governor’s actions are disturbing and we, as a House, need to hold him accountable.”
Among the items vetoed and cited by House Republican Floor Leader Hoover that prompted his call for the House to return for a veto day include:
- Creating efficiencies through reducing personal service contracts
- Creating efficiencies through savings from a reduction of non-merit (political appointees) personnel
- Limits on additional general fund debt restructuring
- Limits on road fund debt restructuring
- Mandates that all reductions result in annual recurring savings
- Repeal on furloughs for state employees
- Additional reporting requirements for savings related to expansion of managed care
House Republicans stood with House Democrats to opposed cuts to the education budget, Hoover said. Beshear’s vetoes “will have a serious impact on trying to balance Kentucky’s budget,” Hoover said.
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