By Bob Katzen

The House 148-7, overrode Gov. Healey’s $700,000 veto reduction (from $6,200,000 million to $5,500,000 million) in funding for the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in North Grafton.

Override supporters said that the funding is important to Cummings and its four-year academic programs which offer a degree in veterinary medicine. They noted that the school conducts groundbreaking research that benefits animals and people and also has hospitals that treat an estimated 28,000 animals annually ranging from cats and dogs to pet rabbits, parrots, iguanas and fish.

In her veto message, Gov. Healey said, “I am vetoing this item to an amount consistent with my House [budget] recommendation.” Some supporters of the veto questioned whether the state should be providing millions of dollars to a private university.

(A “Yes” vote is for spending the $700,000. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes