Thursday, February 2nd, 2006...7:42 pm
Yeah, Yeah, an Obvious Power Grab, I Know
Some Republican leaders are now claiming that Gov. Napolitano’s line item veto of some items in a pay raise bill for state employees is unconstitutional. They are hoping to mount a legal challenge, but I have my doubts about whether or not it will be successful, given that shakier line item vetoes have been upheld over the past few years.
I did some research on line item vetoes, and I found out that they are a very dangerous thing. I mean, look at the radicals that have endorsed them in the past:
The line item veto is an essential fiscal tool for weeding out excessive and wasteful spending…
-Stephen Moore
Legislators love to be loved, so they love to spend money. Line item veto is essential to enable the executive to hold down spending.
-William Weld
When I was governor of California, the governor had the line item veto, and so you could veto parts of the spending in a bill. The president can’t do that. I think, frankly–of course, I’m prejudiced–government would be far better off if the president had the right of line-item veto.
-Ronald Reagan
Who are the ones doing the power grab, the one exercising the rights given to her in the state constitution, or the people looking to an unelected judge to stop her?
5 Comments
February 2nd, 2006 at 10:26 pm
Apparently the language she struck would have denied some state employees who made over a certain amount the right to appeal terminations and demotions.
Now, due process is a crucial component of the workplace, so I would argue that by striking the language in question, the governor is saving the state from a lawsuit, because this would certainly end up in court otherwise.
February 2nd, 2006 at 10:31 pm
In fact, apparently it is now official. The legislature plans to take the governor to court, to try and get the court to overturn her veto, so they can go back to court and be sued by workers who are denied their due process rights. Boy, some lawyers are sure going to make a little nest egg off of this one.
I’m glad they respect my tax dollars so much.
February 2nd, 2006 at 11:31 pm
I’ve worked in the state government for quite some time and most of the new hires who start at $45,000+ are coming into already uncovered (exempt) positions or “appointed” positions and many of these are supervisory positions. The state doesn’t pay well enough to make this a big issue [from what I can see].
February 3rd, 2006 at 9:03 am
Tedski! I’m surprised at you. You forgot the best quote of all.
Surely, you remember this gem from Tuesday?
“I am pleased that members of Congress are working on earmark reform, because the federal budget has too many special interest projects. And we can tackle this problem together, if you pass the line-item veto. (Applause.)”
—George W. Bush
February 3rd, 2006 at 9:55 am
Wow…I guess it would have helped if I had actualy watched the State of the Union.
But thank you.