Alaska Senate Advances Spending Veto Override Amendment

The Alaska Senate on Tuesday passed a constitutional amendment that would lower the requirement for overriding a governor’s veto of spending decisions. Currently, Alaska has two thresholds for veto overrides: two-thirds of legislators for policy bills and three-quarters for budget vetoes or legislation involving spending.

Proposed Changes to Veto Override Thresholds

Anchorage Democratic Sen. Matt Claman proposed the amendment to reduce the veto override threshold for spending decisions to the same two-thirds level as policy bills. The resolution passed the Senate with a 14-6 vote, largely along caucus lines.

Bipartisan Support and Opposition

All 14 members of the bipartisan Senate majority supported the resolution, while all six members of the Republican Senate minority opposed it. At least 14 of Alaska’s 20 Senators are required to reach the two-thirds threshold needed to advance a constitutional amendment.

Arguments for and Against the Amendment

Sen. Claman argued that the high threshold for overriding spending vetoes has “undermined the balance of power between the Legislature and the executive.” He stated that the drafters of the Alaska Constitution intended a strong executive branch, but the current system disrupts that balance.

In a statement, Senate Republicans argued that the governor’s veto power is a crucial tool for controlling the Legislature’s authority. Tok Republican Sen. Mike Cronk, the Senate minority leader, emphasized that “The fiscal override threshold is high for a reason,” reflecting the framers’ intent to give the governor significant power over state spending.

Historical Context of Veto Overrides

Sen. Claman noted that since statehood, the Legislature has overridden a governor on 40 occasions for policy bills, but only five times for spending decisions. The most recent override of a spending veto occurred last August during a special session, where lawmakers rejected Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s vetoes.

Next Steps and Potential Impact

If approved by the House, the proposed amendment will appear on the ballot during the Nov. 3 election. If voters approve the amendment, the lower threshold for budget vetoes would take effect in 2027, coinciding with the start of a new governor’s term. Twenty-seven of the 40 House members would need to approve the resolution for it to appear on the ballot.

This story has been republished with permission from the Alaska Beacon.