Senate Votes to Override Guv's GAMC Veto

Submitted by tannercurl on February 26, 2010 - 03:59

February 25, 2010 - State Capitol
By Tanner Curl

In a 45-21 vote along party lines, the state Senate voted to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty's veto of a bill that would allow 30,000 low income individuals continue their coverage under the General Assistance Medical Care.

With the DFL's supermajority in the Senate, the outcome wasn't a surprise, with the real test for an override to take place in the House. In that chamber, DFL leaders will need to convince at least 3 Republicans to cross party lines. According to state Rep. Kurt Zellers, the GOP leader in the House, that isn't going to happen. He's confident that his caucus, although split on the original vote, will tow the party line on the override.

If the override isn't successful, the state will transfer individuals from GAMC to other state health care programs next month.

The House is expected to vote on the override on Monday.

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