Easley Flexes Muscles With Veto Power

Experts say Easley's action has major implications.

"This is the first time the veto power has been used since the royal governors, if they even used it," said UNC political science Professor Thad Beyle.

By using that power, Easley is "saying that he might use the veto in the future," Beyle said.

"This could be something that he has done to send to the (N.C.) General Assembly a message that he is going to be tougher to work with."

The bill Easley chose to take a stand on was a minor appointments bill, vetoed because some of the appointees were deceased, others could not be appointed legally and additional appointments had expired.

Beyle said the governor's veto of such a minor bill simply could be a ploy to get the General Assembly back in Raleigh before January.

To override the veto, legislators would have to call a special session before they reconvene next year, an action Beyle said might not sit well with lawmakers.

Rep. Joe Hackney, D-Orange, said the vetoed bill was of little importance and that many legislators would be upset if forced to reconvene.

"They would prefer not to come back," he said.

"Most people don't care about the appointment bill."

But Beyle said that despite lawmakers' disinterest, the governor's use of the veto Wednesday could mark the reduction of legislative powers in the state.

"Legislators might not have as much power as they did before," he said.

Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand, D-Cumberland, said legislators expected a decrease in power when the governor was granted the power to veto.

"Everyone knew there was going to be diminishing of the powers the time the veto was adopted," he said.

"It was all debated when North Carolina adopted the veto."

But Rand said he doesn't believe Easley will use the power without reason.

"He'll use it when he thinks an issue is involved that he needs to make a statement on," he said.

Now that the governor has veto power, Hackney said, all returning legislators can do is sit and wait for Easley's next move.

"I wasn't in favor for instituting the veto to start with, but I can only speak for myself," he said.

Rand said that like it or not, legislators expected the veto to be used eventually.

"No one thought he was afraid to use it to begin with."

The State & National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.