Mississippi House overrides governor’s veto of $2.2 billion education bill

The Mississippi House of Representatives has overridden the governor’s veto of a $2.2 billion education bill.

With a two-thirds majority required to override the veto, it was not clear Saturday if the House had enough votes. As it turned out, the House had more than enough when it voted 109-7 to override.

The bill, HB 1700, heads to the Senate for a vote, which is expected to happen later Monday.

Gov. Tate Reeves vetoed the bill July 8 because it did not specify funds for a teacher incentive program that he favored, despite promises from lawmakers that they would modify the bill if he did not veto it.

Wednesday, House Speaker Philip Gunn and Pro Tem Jason White filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Reeves’ veto. That move prompted the governor to strike back, calling it a power grab over pet projects. He also said the Republican-led House was run by liberals.