Lawmakers may need session to override Palin veto

DAN JOLING
Associated Press

ANCHORAGE, Alaska July 09, 2009 02:37 pm

— Alaska lawmakers may be forced into a special session if they want to override Gov. Sarah Palin's veto of federal energy conservation money.
U.S. Department of Energy officials say they're unwilling to wait until the regular session in January to see if legislators will override Palin's veto of $28.56 million in State Energy Program money.
Palin said accepting the money, part of President Barack Obama's stimulus package, comes with strings attached: a requirement that Alaska communities adopt building codes.
Lawmakers dispute Palin's assessment.
Larry Persily, an aide to House Finance Committee Co-chairman Mike Hawker, says a written decision by the federal Energy Department on extending the grant application deadline is expected this week.