Alaska Lawmaker Proposes Lowering Override Threshold for Budget Vetoes

Constitutional amendment would give legislature more power to override governor's spending decisions

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Alaska Sen. Matt Claman, a Democrat from Anchorage, has introduced a resolution that would amend the state constitution to lower the threshold for the legislature to override a governor's veto of budget and appropriations bills. Currently, a three-quarters majority is required, which is the highest in the country. Claman's proposal would lower this to a two-thirds majority.

Why it matters

The resolution aims to shift more power over the state's budget from the executive branch to the legislative branch. Supporters argue the current high threshold gives the governor too much control, while opponents say it could weaken an effective check on legislative spending.

The details

Claman's resolution would need to be approved by two-thirds of both the state House and Senate before going to voters as a constitutional amendment. Alaska's constitution has not been amended since 2004. If passed, it would lower the override threshold from 45 out of 60 lawmakers to 40 out of 60. Overriding budget vetoes has been rare, with only five instances since statehood and just two since 1987.

  • The resolution is currently awaiting a floor vote in the Alaska Senate.
  • Claman expects the resolution to reach the Senate floor for a vote in March 2026.

The players

Sen. Matt Claman

A Democratic state senator from Anchorage who introduced the resolution to lower the threshold for overriding budget vetoes.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy

The current Republican governor of Alaska who has frequently used budget vetoes to cut state spending.

Bruce Botelho

A former Alaska Attorney General who served under both Republican and Democratic governors, and who testified in support of the resolution.

Sen. James Kaufman

An Anchorage Republican state senator who spoke against the resolution, arguing it should be part of a larger package addressing legislative spending controls.

Sen. Lyman Hoffman

A Bethel Democratic state senator who pointed to restrictions on draws from the state's Constitutional Budget Reserve as a check on legislative spending.

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What they’re saying

“This amendment returns more power to all Alaskans and their elected representatives and senators, and it will establish a better balance between the governor and the Legislature.”

— Sen. Matt Claman (adn.com)

“As difficult as vetoes and the ensuing potential veto override is, it's really about the only spending control that we have, other than those that we impose on ourselves.”

— Sen. James Kaufman (adn.com)

“When a relative minority can block a veto override, it raises the risk of policy-driven vetoes standing in the way of what he described as the will of a supermajority.”

— Bruce Botelho, Former Alaska Attorney General (adn.com)

What’s next

If two-thirds of the Alaska House and Senate approve the resolution, it would then be placed on the statewide general election ballot for voters to consider.

The takeaway

This proposed constitutional amendment reflects an ongoing debate in Alaska over the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches, with lawmakers seeking to shift more control over the state's budget away from the governor's office.