Senator Kane Votes To Override Four Of Six Vetoes Struck Down By General Assembly

Senator Rob Kane (R-32) voted to override four of the six gubernatorial vetoes struck down by the General Assembly earlier this week.

“During the regular legislative session, I voted in favor of all six of the vetoed bills we took up this week. I still believe that four of these six vetoed bills should become law and voted accordingly. However, after reading Governor Rell’s veto message and listening to the arguments laid out by some of my legislative colleagues, I decided to vote to sustain the Governor’s veto of the other two bills we considered during the veto session. In the end, the General Assembly overrode the Governor’s veto of all six of the bills we considered,” said Senator Kane.

Senator Kane voted to override the Governor’s veto of four bills that, among other things: creates a new license category for certain social workers, a “master social worker”, to be administered by the state Department of Public Health; deals with permitting of solid waste facility expansion projects; increases the number of off-track betting (OTB) facilities that may operate as simulcasting facilities; and prohibits asking about a prospective state employee’s past convictions until that person is deemed otherwise qualified for the position.

Senator Kane voted to sustain the Governor’s vetoes of two bills that, among other things: create a 23-member commission to review the existing criminal sentencing structure and any proposed changes to it; and deal with many aspects of transportation in Connecticut, including plans for the construction of new parking garage at the Stamford Train Station.

Senator Kane noted that Governor Rell signed a total of 187 bills this year, and vetoed 13. Overriding a veto requires a two-third vote of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Of the vetoed bills, the General Assembly considered, and overrode, only six.

“I did not make my decision to vote in favor of overriding four of Governor Rell’s vetoes lightly. Furthermore, I gave a great deal of consideration to my decision to sustain the Governor’s vetoes of two bills I voted for during the legislative session. After reading the Governor’s veto messages, and considering the arguments for and against overriding offered by fellow legislators, I voted according to what I believe is in the best interests of my constituents and the state as a whole,” said Senator Kane.