Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has been overruled.

After several days of unexpected twists and turns, lawmakers finally ironed out their differences Thursday and overturned Kulongoski's veto of the state's K-through-12 education budget. Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

It's the first time Oregon lawmakers have overridden a veto in Kulongoski's six-and-a-half years in office.

It came after several days of drama.

Democrats in both the Senate and the House failed in their initial attempts to override the governor when Republicans refused to go along with the plan.

Then, after lengthy discussions, some GOP lawmakers changed their minds, giving Legislative leaders a political victory over Kulongoski, a fellow Democrat.

House Minority leader, Republican Bruce Hanna, was vague about the nature of those negotiations.

Bruce Hanna: “I don't know that any bill specifically will move or not move, but it gave us the opportunity to voice concerns over many different issues.”

Now with an education budget passed, lawmakers have few obstacles keeping them from adjourning within days.