Markell Vetos Bill From Chile
I loved the throwaway line at the end of the News Journal story on Governor Markell’s veto of a stupid municipal elections bill that would somehow empower the Commissioner of Elections to void elections that end in a tie.
Markell vetoed the bill Tuesday from Chile, where he is spending the week on a trade mission, a spokeswoman said.
How does one veto a bill from 5,000 miles away? Yes, yes, I understand the modern wonders of email and airmail, and air travel and the like. Does he take out a veto stamp on the rim of a volcano, dip the stamp into the lava and laugh maniacally as he stamps the bill repeatedly? And then does he send poor Brian Selander back to Dover on a red eye to deliver the burnt remains of the bill? And why does one veto a bill in Chile? Did he forget and wake up Tuesday in Santiago thinking “Shit, I forgot!”
Pocket Veto?
That is a passive action that would occur with no action on the part of Markell. The News Journal makes it sound like he actively vetoed it.
And I am not criticizing the Governor here. He should have vetoed the bill as it was a bad bill, and he can veto bills from where he pleases. I just found it funny.
Pocket vetos were ruled unconstitutional in Delaware. You have to actually send a veto message. I didn’t think a governor could act upon bills when he was out of the country. I guess DE and SC are exceptions.
I support the veto, it was a bad bill all around.
Look at how Delusional David subtley tries to slander the Governor but implying that he is on the “Applachian Trial” like the former Republican Governor of South Carolina.
I would expect nothing less from David, since he can never just say he agrees with what Markell did.
Back to actual facts and substance in the real world (where you will find no Republicans), I believe there is no prohibition regarding where the Governor can veto something.
The News Journal makes it sound like he actively vetoed it.
Well, let’s see what the governor’s office said, shall we?
DOVER – Governor Jack Markell today vetoed House Substitute No. 1 to House Bill No. 33 …
http://governor.delaware.gov/news/2011/1108august/20110809-veto_hs1.shtml
Sounds pretty active to me.