What is a line-item veto?

A line-item veto is the executive authority that allows a governor to cancel specific provisions or items within a bill while approving the rest of the legislation. This power is particularly useful in budgetary matters, where a governor can eliminate specific expenditures without rejecting the entire budget proposal. The ability to selectively veto parts of a bill gives the executive greater control over state spending and policy implementation, facilitating more precise decision-making.

In contrast to the other options, the line-item veto does not refer to ignoring a bill completely or rejecting it in its entirety. Additionally, it is not about the procedure for overriding a governor’s veto, which involves the legislature taking action to counteract the governor’s decision. Understanding the line-item veto is crucial in grasping the dynamics of state governance and the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches.