Legislature votes to override governor’s veto of school funding

State legislators in Juneau have voted to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto Monday, May 19, of an education funding bill. The vote was 46 to 14 of the 60 House and Senate members in a joint session Tuesday morning.

Forty “yes” votes were needed to override, so the final tally exceeded the minimum by five votes. This may also be enough to override a veto of funding for the increased money in Huse Bill 57, which has passed the House and Senate.

A minimum of 45 votes are needed to override a budget veto. If the funds are vetoed, and the governor has said he may do this, the action will come later after Dunleavy approves the budget in June. However, since this would happen after the Legislature adjourns May 21, lawmakers would have to call themselves into special session for an override vote. It is more likely that they would wait until the start of the 2026 session in January.

In that event school districts including the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, would have to get along with status quo funding until the spring.