It’s about to get late early in Annapolis.
Normally, the Governor vetoes a bill after the General Assembly has adjourned.
The override vote takes place in January when the legislature returns.
However, if a bill takes effect then, it does not apply to the fiscal year starting that July.
Several of the bills we’re about to pass would impose mandates in next year’s budget. Governor Hogan opposes mandates.
Several of the bills would benefit Baltimore City by paying to keep Pratt Library branches open for 12 hours every day of the week, redevelop blighted areas, and use public schools for after-school and summer programs.
This $290 million five-year initiative is designed to begin this year. I will be working with the neighborhoods in the 41st District this summer so that we can get our fair share of this money.
That will be delayed if the Governor vetoes the bills in May and we override in January.
The Maryland Constitution provides that if a bill passes both houses and is presented to the Governor by this Friday and he chooses to veto it, he must do so before we adjourn.
That would enable us to override his veto and have the law take effect in 30 days.
It doesn’t have to happen this way.
The Governor could sit down with the Speaker and the Senate President to resolve most, if not all, of the issues presented by the bills he might veto.
I’ve seen it happen many times before.
