LINCOLN- On Tuesday, the Nebraska Legislature failed to approve a veto override that would have allowed pharmacies and other entities in the state to distribute hypodermic needles to drug users to stave off the spread of communicable diseases. In a dramatic vote, the body voted 27-20, falling short three votes to override the veto.

Seven lawmakers who had supported the original proposal, LB307 introduced by Sen. Megan Hunt, ultimately reversed their votes on Tuesday. Sens. Christy Armendariz, Carolyn Bosn, Tom Brewer, Rick Holdcroft, Jana Hughes, Fred Meyer, and Mike Moser all flipped their votes after supporting the bill just two weeks ago.

Sen. Hunt argued that Pillen's veto came not because of the content of the proposal, but because of the governor's personal distaste for the Omaha lawmaker. "What happens on the board today is not because of policy," said Hunt. Several conservative lawmakers, including Speaker John Arch and Sens. Tom Brewer and Mike Jacobson, supported the override motion and the underlying bill.

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