Last week I promised SA enthusiasts on this blog that The Hatchet would have an article about the SA Senate passing the constitutional referendum- that will no longer be happening because SA officials are debating if the legislation actually passed.
On Tuesday night in the Marvin Center after 2 a.m. the Senate voted 14-1 to accept the constitutional revision, sweeping changes to the body’s governing document that would be put before students to go into effect. Morgan Corr, the SA’s Executive Vice President, declared the legislation passed, even though SA guidelines state that 2/3 of the senate must vote in favor of constitutional amendments. The senate is made up of 30 people so 2/3 would be 20 members. The 14 votes in favor of the legislation were not enough to pass it, some SA insiders say. Corr was informed that the senate did not meet the appropriate threshold and said the legislation will be reconsidered this Tuesday.
“It is absurd that the Senate doesn’t know the required threshold to pass a constitutional amendment,” said Jeff Goodman, the SA’s vice president of Judicial and Legislative affairs.
Corr defended the action saying that it is a “confusing provision” in the Senate guidelines and that it is up to interpretation if the legislation actually passed. Corr said he interpreted the rule as meaning 2/3 of present members, Goodman said the constitution states 2/3 of all members of the body. Corr said in an effort to avoid a legal dispute on the issue the Senate will re-vote on the referendum this Tuesday. Both Corr and Goodman indicated that they expect the legislation to pass. Before being put before students in a November special election, SA President Audai Shakour has an opportunity to sign or veto the legislation, Goodman said. It is unclear if Shakour supports the legislation enough to endorse it with a signature to put it before the students.
So, for those of you waiting anxiously for an article explaining all the changes that may come with a constitutional referendum passing, do not expect to see it Monday, the SA must first make sure the Senate really passed the legislation.
*A web comment on this posting asked if Shakour has the power to veto senate passed constitutional ammendments. I do not know for sure the answer to this question. Unforuntaley I do not have the knowledge of the constitution to answer this, if anyone knows for sure, please feel free to add a comment.*
