Today, Governor Doyle signed the biennial budget, at the same time announcing his list of vetoes.  As anyone paying attention to the budget knows, the entire thing has been negotiated in secret, and given as little public scrutiny as possible.

As explained in his veto message, (p. 18) Doyle axes a provision of the budget that would have provided compensation for newspapers with a circulation over 40,000 in Milwaukee County (widely believed to be the Shepherd Express) for printing legal notices.

But it’s Doyle’s rationale for vetoing the provision that should draw some belly laughs:

“I am vetoing this provision because it should be subject to the full legislative process where the merits of the provision can be fully and openly debated.”

Apparently, the Governor is willing to make some exceptions to this deeply held conviction.  Like, for instance, every other portion of the budget.

Glad he’s willing to call the Legislature to task on such an important issue.