Constitution; amend to define appropriation bill subject to Governor's partial veto power.
Impact
The proposed amendment could significantly impact the way appropriations are handled in Mississippi. By limiting the Governor's ability to veto conditions within appropriation bills, it enhances the legislative authority in determining how state funds are appropriated. This shift may streamline the appropriations process, giving the legislature greater control over financial allocations without the risk of gubernatorial opposition to specific conditions, thereby reducing potential conflicts between the executive and legislative branches regarding fiscal matters.
Summary
Senate Concurrent Resolution 523 proposes an amendment to Section 73 of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890. This amendment aims to redefine the terms under which the Governor can exercise his veto power over appropriation bills. Specifically, it seeks to prevent the Governor from vetoing specific conditions outlined in appropriation bills while also limiting his partial veto authority to those bills that fix a definite maximum amount for expenditures from the state treasury and that remain enforceable for up to two months after the fiscal year ends following a legislative session.
Contention
Notably, the amendment responds to a past legal ruling from the Mississippi Supreme Court (Reeves v. Gunn, 2020) which affected the interpretation of the Governor's veto powers. By clarifying the definition of what constitutes an appropriation bill, this legislation may ignite debates around the balance of power between state governance structures, particularly regarding fiscal responsibilities. Supporters argue it protects legislative intent in budgetary matters, while opponents may view it as an erosion of executive oversight, potentially leading to unchecked legislative spending.
JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE -- LINE ITEM VETO (This proposed amendment to our state Constitution grants the governor a line-item veto on the budget and other appropriation bills.)
JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE -- LINE ITEM VETO (This proposed amendment to our state Constitution grants the governor a line-item veto on the budget and other appropriation bills.)
JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE -- REFERENDUM ON LINE ITEM VETO (This proposed amendment to the Constitution would provide the governor with a line item veto on the budget and other bills for the appropriation of money.)
JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE -- REFERENDUM ON LINE ITEM VETO (Proposed amendment to the Constitution provides the governor with a line item veto on the budget and other bills for the appropriation of money.)
Restricting the governor’s partial veto authority to only rejecting entire bill sections of an appropriation bill that are capable of separate enactment and reducing appropriations in a bill (first consideration).