List grows for Senators who want veto session on religious liberty
State Senator Mike Crane, a Republican from Newnan who is also running to fill the soon-to-be-empty seat of Congressman Lynn Westmoreland, has called for a special session to override the religious freedom bill veto by Governor Nathan Deal.
Deal announced Monday that he plans to veto the bill, citing the First Amendment and Georgia’s willingness to be “welcoming” and business friendly in a shot heard ’round the state.
Crane joins State Senator Bill Heath,who told the Atlanta Journal Constitution near the end of session that should the bill be vetoed, he will look to call a special veto session. The legislature would need a 2/3 vote in both chambers to override the veto of the Governor.
From his official press release:
“Today, we saw exactly why our government needs committed conservatives who never stop fighting to protect the Constitution. The announcement by Governor Deal is another example of how the political class is bought and paid for by corporations and lobbyists. Rather than standing up and protecting the 1st Amendment, the political class would rather sacrifice those rights to keep the money flowing. It is fair to note, that Governor Deal voted in favor of the Federal RFRA when in Congress. A RFRA that is far stronger than what was passed by the Georgia General Assembly.
This fight is not over. Today I am calling for a special session to override the Governor’s veto and protect the First Amendment rights of law abiding and hardworking voters throughout this state,” said Mike Crane.
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Jessica Szilagyi
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Crane knows the chances of an override are next to nil….but his call for one will look nice on his campaign flyers.
Good campaign material, Crane. Great for fundraising. It’s nothing more. The almighty dollar won, like usual. Deal’s veto will never be overturned. Advocates for the override will be branded as bigots and smeared.
Deal said that he wouldn’t respond to threats. He just did.
Question: If they do, somehow, successfully call the session, is it a simple, up or down, veto override or can the bill be changed? An effort to change and clarify the bill seems like it would be worth the effort.
I’m commenting so I’ll be notified of the answer to this. I do not know.
How did McKoon allow Crane to scoop him? The crocodile tears will flow all the way up to election day and beyond. I still maintain that at least half that voted for this bill did so knowing that the real “compromise” in it was the tacit assurance of the Governor’s veto.
Oh, and they should know that Ralph Reed has hair shirts available with cashmere linings.
But don’t worry because Donald Trump “checks all the boxes.”
I do not know if a bill that has already passed both houses and sent to the Governor can be called back for “reconsideration” like they can by each chamber after voting. I do believe, however, that a special session could be used to draft a new bill that reflects whatever changes they might be floating.
Special session can be called by the Governor, or by signatures of 3/5 of both House and Senate.
My non-lawyer reading of the Georgia Constitution is that the session has to be called for a specific purpose, but that purpose can be broadly interpreted beyond one specific piece of legislation, as stated in the proclamation calling for the special session.
http://sos.ga.gov/admin/files/Constitution_2013_Final_Printed.pdf
Page 32 of the Constitution has the relevant section.
So, one would need 108 signatures in the House and 34 signatures in the Senate to force the session.
Thanks for adding this, Jason. I think both chambers have the votes needed from the original passing, however, I’m not sure if some of those same YES votes would challenge the Governor.
There were 104 Yes votes in the House, so would need 4 additional members to sign the proclamation. Would additionally need 16 more Yes votes to actually override the veto.
Senate had 37 Yes votes, so they would have enough to sign the proclamation. Would need 1 additional Yes vote to override.
I think at least a few in the Senate felt pressured to make the vote unanimous or were worried about primary opposition. I doubt there will be 34 Senatorial signatures to be had, given that qualifying is over, and a signature excoriates a Gov forced to spend political capital on something not on his agenda.
Will the incomplete list ever see the light of day?
I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody’s part! — Otter, Animal House, 1978
Spotted, Senator buying 10,000 marbles.
How about doing your job during the 40 days we pay for every freakin year. Tax reform, nah, Education reform, nah, last is great. Transportation plans, we passed a billion dollar tax increase, done there.
Call a special session, let it last the rest of the year so no incumbents can’t beg for donations. That would be the only bright spot.