One vote short

Leaders in the Vermont House were a single vote short today to overturn the governor's veto of the campaign finance reform bill.

One Democrat, Rep. George Allard of St. Albans, broke ranks and voted for sustaining the veto, but he's been against the bill for quite some time, according to House members. No surprise there. Privately, Democrats did note that several key members were absent for the veto session, which could have made the difference here.

Depending on the outcome of the new energy bill that is being debated in the Vermont Senate right now, Gov. James Douglas could walk away from this post-veto legislative session looking like a winner. But the afternoon is early.

-Dan Barlow