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Government Specialist Richard Piatt reportingFirst the vetos.
They are proof lawmakers don't always get the final word. In fact, a couple bills were vetoed precisely because they had been tinkered with along the way.
Veto one: A bill that would have clarified firearms laws, to make it unlawful to shoot a weapon at bulidings or cars.
Sounds good. But amendments to the bill during the session added the language 'knowingly and intentionally' to the new law--actually making it harder to prosecute.
For that reason the Governor vetoed it.
A power struggle sparked veto number two.
Lawmakers wanted to remove the Governor from filling midterm vacancies in the legislature---the result of another amendment to a bill meant to clarify the procedure.
The Governor vetoed that bill by saying it was a matter of checks and balances.
Veto number three has to do with a proposal to increase privacy and security on the internet.
Originally, all internet providers would have to comply with certain rules. Amendments required Government web sites to comply, but called for further study for private websites.
Governor Leavitt says new laws should apply to both, after the issue is studied, and killed the bill.
Now, the connection between beer and the special session.
The new tax hike on beer--about 4--cents a six pack--is scheduled to fund DUI prevention programs starting next January.
But the bill doesn't free up the money until a year from July--a minor technical difference that needs fixing so the funding can flow freely.
The Governor also wants lawmakers to decide whether to sell the Workers Compensation fund. And, there are probably other issues that will come up for consideration as long as they're there in June.
