Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Nebraska lawmakers vote to override budget vetoes

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have voted to override Gov. Dave Heineman's vetoes of state budget items, including funding for courtyard fountains and a new heating system at the Capitol.

The 37-11 vote on Tuesday comes days after Heineman announced that he had trimmed $65 million from the Legislature's budget package. Heineman singled out the fountains as a less important priority than state-funded property tax relief.

Supporters of the override motion argued that the fountains are the last major, unfinished design feature of the Capitol. The fountain project was halted because of the Depression.

Construction is now expected to end just before Nebraska celebrates its 150th anniversary as a state.

Opponents say the project should sit near the very bottom of Nebraska's priority list.

Thirty votes were needed for a successful override.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.