Senator Files Lawsuit Over Schwarzenegger's Budget Vetoes - "We elected a governor, not an emperor"

Aug 7, 2009 1:27 pm US/Pacific
Senator Files Lawsuit Over Gov.'s Budget Vetoes
"Steinberg v. Schwarzenegger"


SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) ― If you thought California's budget fight was over, think again. It's round two and this one is titled: "Steinberg v. Schwarzenegger."

Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg is filing lawsuit challenging Governor Schwarzenegger's $489 million in last-minute line-item vetoes of the budget.

Steinberg says he will file the suit next week that contends the Governor violated his constitutional authority in making line item vetoes

"We elected a governor, not an emperor," Steinberg said. "In making these line item vetoes the Governor forced punishing cuts on children, the disabled and patients that he couldn't win fairly at the bargaining table. And in doing so, he overstepped his constitutional authority."

more...
http://cbs13.com/breakingnews/steinberg.budget.lawsuit.2.1119486.html

Seems to me his line item vetoes here are unconstitutional.

Earlier this week, the Legislative Counsel Bureau issued an opinion saying that most of Schwarzenegger's line-item vetoes were illegal.

I think the Governator is going to lose this one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_of_California

A prior post mentioned the Legislative Counsel Bureau and it looks like a precedent issue vice black letter law. Its heading to the courts if it goes anywhere at this point