Dr. No or not so much

Gov. John Kitzhaber vetoed the first bill of the session Tuesday.

Once given the nickname “Dr. No” for vetoing bundles of bills, the late-in-the session disapproval marks a change indicative of the governor’s third term.

This session, with a 30-30 split in the House and a narrow Democratic margin in the Senate, has been one about both parties being forced to play together. And many Republicans have spent the session speaking highly of the governor.

The bill, House Bill 2212, would have stopped  floral facilitators from charging local florists over a certain amount, had Republican opposition and Democratic support.

“Because a court would likely find Enrolled House Bill 2212 to be unconstitutional, I am returning it unsigned and disapproved,” the governor’s letter to the House co-chairs said.