SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber kept his veto pen stashed this year.
The Democratic governor signed all 112 bills passed by the Oregon Legislature this year, the last 22 of them on Wednesday.
Since beginning his third term last year, Kitzhaber has vetoed just one bill — a measure sought by the florist industry that he quashed last year, saying it was unconstitutional.
Kitzhaber had a tumultuous relationship with the Republican-led Legislature before ending his second term in 2003, and he set a record for vetoes after striking down dozens of bills.
The House of Representatives is now evenly divided between the major political parties, and a power-sharing agreement requires that all legislation have bipartisan support before reaching Kitzhaber’s desk.
