The House refused today to override Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s veto of HB 1581, which authorizes development of a survey of state employees to identify problems or ways to improve the agencies where they work. The vote was 42-34, with 51 votes needed.

The governor viewed the bill as a legislative incursion on the executive branch. Rep. Kim Hammer, sponsor of the bill, detailed his 20-month effort that led to the legislation, with questions raised only hours before final approval. The House gave the bill 75 votes in its first consideration Feb. 27. But some members who voted for the bill opposed the override.

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