Projo Politics Blog

The governor's office scrambled to issue veto messages last week, in part because of an unusual move by the state Senate.

Late Friday afternoon, six days after the Assembly adjourned for the year, the Senate transmitted 201 bills -- its entire roster of legislation approved in the final days of the session -- to Governor Carcieri for his signature. The day before, Carcieri had issued veto messages on dozens of bills.

Typically, lawmakers transmit their legislation piecemeal in the days after the session. But Senate spokesman Greg Pare insisted there was nothing unusual about this year's bulk move.

The goal, he said, is always to get all the bills to the governor by the July 4th holiday.

The late transmission of bills didn't bother the governor's staff.

John Robitaille, Carcieri's communications director said "The governor's office is capable of reviewing this number of bills within the veto deadline, considering that they are carefully followed during the session. This is mainly a final review."

The governor ultimately decided to veto 49 bills last week, 3 fewer than he did last year. Spokesmen for the House and Senate would not speculate on whether the legislature would return for a special veto-override session.

House spokesman Larry Berman said the leadership would decide within the next few weeks.

-- Journal State House staff

 Tags  carcieri general assembly legislation

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