181
edits
Changes
Expanded, with example
The '''line-item veto''' is the power of the top executive in government, either the president or a state governor, to sign a budget into law while striking out (lining out) certain expense items that the executive disfavors. This is favored by [[conservatives]] to reduce overall spending, but the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] held it to be unconstitutional at the [[federal]] level. Many state governors have this power.
The '''line-item veto''' is the power of the top executive in government, either the president or a state governor, to sign a budget into law while striking out (lining out) certain expense items that the executive disfavors. This is favored by [[conservatives]] to reduce overall spending, but the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] held it to be unconstitutional at the [[federal]] level. Many state governors have this power.
Part of the controversy around the line item veto is in the [[separation of powers]] in government. The line item veto can be used to change the meaning of passages in a law. Vetoing a 'not' can drastically alter the meaning of a sentence. It has also been used to selectively veto letters and make new law - a power that should not be in the hands of the executive branch.
For example, the passage:
:"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."
Could be veoted
:"A <s>well regu</s>late<s>d</s> mil<s>itia, b</s>e<s>ing necessa</s>r<s>y to the security</s> of a free state, <s>the right of the people to keep and bear arms,</s> shall not be infringed."
Which would now read:
:"A late miler of a free state, shall not be infringed."
== Further reading ==
* [http://www.legis.state.wi.us/senate/sen10/news/FrankensteinVeto.pdf Frankenstein Veto - an example of Jim Doyle using line item veto on the Wisconsin budget]
[[category:United States Government]]
[[category:United States Government]]