Interview: Rep. Will Stevens on the veto override

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Needing 100 votes to pass an override of the Governor’s budget veto, that’s exactly what Democrats got yesterday.

And the override vote revealed the sharp partisan differences in Montpelier. All 94 Democrats, 5 Progressives, and 1 Independent voted to override. All 48 Republicans voted to sustain the Governor’s veto, along with two Independents.

This morning, we’re speaking with one of those two Independents who sided with Governor Douglas.

Will Stevens’ district is southern Addison County. And he addressed the House members yesterday:

(Stevens) Mr. Speaker: As town moderator I ask people to speak, as a mediator I ask people to listen. Last week I asked administration and legislative leadership to listen to each other. You, Mr. Speaker gave it an honest effort to avoid that vote. I want to thank you for that. 

VPR asked Stevens if those remarks indicated that he felt Democrats like Smith made more of a good faith effort than the Governor to reach a compromise, even though Stevens himself ultimately agreed with the budget veto.

Click listen to hear the entire interview.

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