The legislature did something this week that hasn't happened in 13 years. Lawmakers voted to override a governor's veto. The bill involved gives the legislature increased oversight of State Department of Social Services applications tied to federal funds for various state welfare and health initiatives. Rell vetoed a similar bill last year and lawmakers didn't try to cross her. But now things are different.

The 2006 elections gave Democrats a veto-proof majority in the House and Senate and many Capitol observers believe Democrats were itching for a chance to politically flex their muscles to show Rell they're a force to be reckoned with on all legislation.

Democrats said the legislature deserves more input on federal waiver issues. "We are lawmakers, we are policymakers," said State Sen. Jonathan Harris (D-West Hartford), in defending the veto action.

However, House Republican leader Rep. Lawrence Cafero (R-Norwalk) has been saying all year that Democrats are in "power grab" mode in a game of oneupsmanship with the GOP governor. Cafero charged that the veto override was a chance for Democratic leaders to say "we can do this because we've got the numbers."

Democrats rejected the idea that negating Rell's veto was akin to revving the gas pedal on a hot rod to let everybody hear the power of that souped-up V8. House Speaker James Amann (D-Milford) said the state constitution clearly gives the legislature authority to override a governor's veto and his party was simply exercising that right as an element of democracy in Connecticut.

The governor's office, reading the political tea leaves, knew what was going to happen before the House and Senate had completed action to crush the veto. Rell spokesman Chris Cooper gave reporters reaction quotes they could "bank" until the votes were finally in.

"The governor believes the test of a bill should not be whether the majority party has the votes," said Cooper, "but whether the legislation is good for the state of Connecticut." The Rell administration feels legislative input on federal waiver requests could create harmful bureaucratic delays.

Now that the muscle flexing or exercise in democracy or whatever the veto override was is over, it will be interesting to see what happens next. The Social Services bill is minor in comparison to other controversial topics still awaiting action including the budget and tax package, energy prices, and healthcare.

Legislative adjournment is coming June 6th. Voters will be watching to see if the Republican governor and Democrat-run legislature will be working in a bipartisan manner to resolve these issues or looking for more powerplays as if they were combatants in a World Wrestling Entertainment match!


Posted 5/23/07

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