Veto, now what?

As predicted, Gov. John Baldacci vetoed the bill that would have significantly changed the school district consolidation legislation passed last year. The governor noted that the creation of "super unions" would have resulted in an increase to school costs. There was apparently very little effort attempted to override the veto.

The governor has already proposed additional legislation that will "tweak" the current law. According to the Portland Press Herald:

The governor said his new bill is designed to allow school units to negotiate local cost-sharing agreements. It also aims to allow districts that receive a minimum special education subsidy to continue to do so when they join a new school district.

Interestingly, the article in the PPH garnered only two "comments," thus far, and both in support of the governor's action. This is surprising given the amount of time the legislature spent on this topic.

It is assumed that school districts that have been moving forward with their consolidation plans can continue to do so. Those who have been taking a "wait and see" attitude, will have to get things into high gear.

~John Brandt