House fails to override campaign finance veto by one vote

April 26, 2008

MONTPELIER — For the second time in a year, the Vermont House failed by a single vote to override Gov. James Douglas' veto of a new campaign finance reform bill.Friday's vote of 99-51 came one vote shy of the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto of the bill, which would have set specific contribution limits for political candidates.

House Speaker Gaye Symington, D-Jericho, who made the rare move Friday of casting her vote to override the veto from the speaker's podium, said she was disappointed in the outcome and cast her blame toward Douglas, whom she is considering a run against this year.

After Douglas vetoed last year's campaign finance bill — a veto that House lawmakers also failed to override by a single vote during a special summer session — Symington said lawmakers sought a compromise with the governor.

"We'll be back here next year," Burns said. "And until then, the problem of money in politics will only get worse."

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