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GOP plans override votes despite constitutionality questions

HARRISBURG (AP) - Pennsylvania House Republicans said Friday they will force votes next week to override the Democratic governor's budget bill veto, one piece at a time, despite questions about the constitutionality of what they plan to do.

House Majority Leader Dave Reed told members of his caucus that he will call up elements of the vetoed budget bill that would authorize funding at a similar level to what Gov. Tom Wolf supports."An override vote on these lines would be the quickest and most efficient way to get agreed-to, needed funds to these schools and agencies without additional costs," wrote Reed, R-Indiana.Republicans will hold a 119-to-84 majority after five newly elected members are sworn in, which means they would need at least 17 Democrats for the two-thirds majority required to send an override to the Senate.House Minority Frank Dermody, D-Allegheny, predicted few, if any, of his members will cross lines, even if "no" votes could be used to argue the Democrats were against funding for educational and human services programs they actually support."This is a political move, is all it is," Dermody said."They think they can make some political hay by making us vote against some of these folks."