Republican’s landmark school choice bill, the Alabama Accountability Act, will go into effect immediately, in spite of efforts by the Governor to delay it for two years.
The House of Representatives around lunch time voted 57-10 to non-concur with the Governor’s executive amendment to delay the Act’s implementation, then voted 59-6 to override his veto. The Senate voted 19-15 to concur with the House.
Governor Bentley immediately took to Twitter to voice his displeasure.
House members made a mistake by rejecting my executive amendment on the #AccountabilityAct.
— Gov.Robert Bentley (@GovernorBentley) May 20, 2013
This executive amendment was fiscally responsible. The Legislature rejecting my amendment is fiscally irresponsible.
— Gov.Robert Bentley (@GovernorBentley) May 20, 2013
The Governor has ratcheted up the rhetoric over the last few days, consistently calling the legislature “fiscally irresponsible” in both public appearances and in statements to the press. While rumors of tension between the Governor and legislative leadership have been overblown the last few years, this unexpected confrontation has put both sides of South Union Street on edge.
House Speaker Mike Hubbard downplayed the disagreement as nothing more than a difference of opinion over process, not vision.
“The Governor and the legislature have the same goal: eliminating failing schools and helping children get the best education possible in the state of Alabama. We simply have a difference of opinion in the way that is accomplished,” Hubbard said.
But many Republicans in the legislature feel like the Governor flip-flopped and left them in the fox hole by themselves. Meanwhile, many in the Capitol feel like the legislature should show more deference to the Governor’s leadership.
It is probably good timing for the legislative session to be coming to a close. Time and distance will give frayed nerves time to heal.
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