Good Question: Why did Kentucky lawmakers pass legislation even though it was vetoed?

(WKYT) – Today’s Good Question is: Why did the House and Senate of Kentucky pass legislation in this last 2024 session, even though it was vetoed?

The simplest answer is because they could. A veto from the governor doesn’t mean legislation can’t be passed. However, it does mean a certain number of lawmakers have to go against the governor to proceed with it.

When a bill is passed by the Kentucky General Assembly, it goes on to the governor, who then has three options with how to proceed: they may sign it, permit it to become law without their signature or veto it.

The governor has 10 days to act on a bill, so lawmakers usually pass their priority bills before what is known as the veto recess. That makes sure, when they come back, they will have time to vote to override any potential vetoes in the last two days.

Again, a veto from the governor means he doesn’t support it, but it could still become law.

Kentucky is one of six states that only requires a simple majority to override a veto.

Republicans will control 80 of 100 seats in the House this session, with 31 of 38 seats in the Senate, so getting to that majority doesn’t even take all of their members.

So, if party leaders want a bill to be passed, even if the governor opposes it, they have the numbers to make it happen.

If you have a Good Question you’d like us to try to answer, send it to goodquestion@wkyt.com.

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