Nebraska lawmakers on Tuesday failed to override Governor Jim Pillen’s veto of the “safe needles” bill sponsored by Omaha senator Megan Hunt. Twenty-seven lawmakers supported overriding the governor’s veto and thirty votes were needed.
Hunt says her bill would have allowed local jurisdictions to distribute hypodermic needles or sterile syringes to drug users. to reduce the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C. Pillen vetoed the bill saying it exposes kids to increased dangers, by allowing them to participate in needle exchange programs and that it does nothing to enhance the safety of Nebraska communities.
“I appreciate that state senators took the time to evaluate LB 307 and took due notice of concerns that caused me to veto the bill,” Pillen says. “We need to invest in less harmful ways to combat drug usage and disease transmission that are in line with Nebraska values. I look forward to working with our state senators on those strategies in the next session.”
Seven lawmakers who supported the bill during the final reading late last month changed their votes on Tuesday morning and supported the veto.