Hillyard not in favor of veto override session

Governor Gary Herbert vetoed three bills and seven budget-line items following the 2016 session of the Utah legislature. Now Utah Senate President Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy, has started a veto override process.

He says when the governor chooses to veto a bill the legislature is directed by the Utah Constitution to review his actions.

The governor’s vetoes this year have caused some concerns. Senator Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, says the governor’s vetoes of education funding were surprising, especially the veto of the K-3 Intervention Reading Program.

State Senator Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, says he has been lobbied to override the vetoes, but he is not inclined to do so at this time.

“There are some negotiations going on,” confirms Hillyard. “It may end up that we come back in a special session. Rather than just override we may just amend the bills to conform with some of the issues he has with them. We have until the 15th, I believe, to make a decision.”

Hillyard says if two-thirds of each chamber (the House of Representatives and the Senate) vote in favor of the process, a veto override session will be convened.

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