Alaska Senate Pushes for Lower Veto Override Threshold

0:00It's April 1st, you're listening to Anchorage News today, AI-powered local news. Alaska's Senate just pushed forward a big constitutional change to make it easier to override a governor's veto on spending bills. Right now, it takes three-quarters of lawmakers to nix those vetoes, but this amendment from Anchorage Democrat Senator Matt Cleman would drop that too. Just two-thirds, matching the rule for policy bills, Alaska stands alone as the only state with that sky-high spending veto bar. The resolution sailed through on a 14-to-6 vote Tuesday, split right along caucus lines with the bipartisan majority saying yes and all. Republican minority members voting, no. To get on November's ballot, it needs at least 14 of 20 senators, which it cleared and 27 out of 40 House members to sign on. Next, Senator Cleman, whose running for governor, argues the old rule tips power too far to the executive, messing with the balance the constitutions.

1:00Framers wanted. On the flip side, minority Republicans like Senate leader Mike Cron from Tauk say that strong veto keeps a lid on the legislature's spending spree, pointing to governor Mike Dunlevy using it to kill tax hikes. Overrides on spending vetoes are rare, only five times in statehood compared to 40 for policy stuff. The latest was last August, when lawmakers shot down Dunlevy's cut to $50 million in school funding by the bare minimum, 45-14 vote. If the House approves, voters decide on November 3rd. Pass it with the majority and the lower threshold kicks in, starting 2027, right as a new governor takes office.