Assembly overrides another seven vetoes

The Assembly voted Sunday to override another seven vetoes, bringing the total number to 20 bills passed over the governor's objections by the body.

The Senate has now voted to override seven measures vetoed by Gov. Jim Gibbons.

The Assembly action completes the process of approving two of the measures since SB234 and SB415 have already been voted on in the Senate.

SB234 raises the amount of money the state collects on rental car fees from 6 percent to 10 percent and was designed as part of the tax package developed by the Legislature. Gibbons vetoed it because of that tax increase.

SB415 is integral to the budget since it appropriates the money needed to pay state employee benefits premiums. Gibbons vetoed that measure because lawmakers rejected his proposed reductions to the employee benefits, adding back not only to the retirement program but health benefits coverage.

In addition, the Assembly voted to overturn vetoes on AB410 which permits certain industrial insurance agreements to supersede state law. Assemblywoman Debbie Smith, D-Sparks, told the other members both business and labor want the changes in that measure. The vote was 28-14 " the minimum two-thirds needed to override.

They voted unanimously to overturn the veto of AB493 which requires the Public Employee Retirement Program to report on any investments it has with companies doing business in Iran and on AB22, which allows a civil cause of action for deceptive trade practices.

Assembly members also reinstated AB446 which requires the budget division to do long term planning including development of uniform performance measures for executive branch agencies and AB135 which gives the treasurer the power to examine public-private partnership agreements with the state to ensure they aren't bad transactions.

Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, cited the deal creating the Fire Science Academy in Carlin as an example of the type of deal the review should catch. That academy has been losing money since the day it opened and is now some $40 million in the red.

More votes on the over 30 bills Gibbons has vetoed are expected before the end of session Monday night.