LINCOLN- Governor Ricketts handed down more vetoes this past Monday post-adjournment of the Legislature last week. Six bills received pocket vetoes, however they were signed 'sine die' so that the Governor was unable to actually veto them.

Two of the vetoed bills were prison-related, the first being changes to the parole system. This would allow for inmates to be eligible for parole 2 years before their original discharge date. Ricketts vetoed this bill because he believes it was over broad and could lead to unintended consequences. The second was put forth to ensure more transparency in witnessing inmate executions. The Governor vetoed this bill in order to protect the executioners identity and their families. He also said allowing more witnesses for executions would make a mockery of the execution and would be disrespectful to the inmate and their families.

Another veto included a student discipline bill that would require classwork and exams to be accepted while a student is suspended and for class credits before expulsion to be taken at other schools. Veto number 4 was a bill to require public school students to fill out FAFSA, the government assisted scholarship program, prior to graduation. Ricketts said this bill would create an unnecessary hurdle for students and their families. Both bills were introduced by Senator Tony Vargas.

LB607 was introduced by Senator Mark Kolterman and later was vetoed. This bill aimed to more properly define different cosmetic and tattooing procedures. The Governor believes the burden is unwarranted.

Lastly, Governor Ricketts vetoed a bill that would add to the definition of racial discrimination in the workplace that focuses on hair. Ricketts vetoed this bill because the bill focuses on mutable characteristics that cannot be attributed to one race.

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