Former Republican Gubernatorial candidate Ken Block is making a push for line-item veto power for the Governor. He’s launched a website to drive the issue.
On the new website you can send an email to Governor Raimondo, as well as legislative leaders, voicing your support for the issue. Block wants the governor to have the power to veto single items from the state budget. University of Rhode Island Political science professor and commentator Maureen Moakley said the issue is unlikely to gain traction with state lawmakers.
“Obviously it’s not in their interest because it takes power away from legislators, and particularly legislative leaders.”
Moakley said that she doubts Raimondo will pursue the issue herself. “By taking it on forcefully, Raimondo’s beginning her administration confronting the leadership of the legislature. I don’t think that’s a place she wants to be in the first term of her administration,” said Moakley.
Rhode Island is one of a handful of states that doesn’t grant line-item veto power to the governor. A group of senators has already proposed a bill in favor of the issue this session.
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