What term describes the governor’s ability to veto specific items in appropriations bills?

The term that describes the governor’s ability to veto specific items in appropriations bills is the line-item veto. This mechanism allows the governor to remove particular expenditures from legislation while allowing the rest of the bill to become law.

This authority is significant because it provides a means for the governor to manage state budget priorities effectively. For instance, if an appropriations bill includes funding for various projects, the governor can eliminate funding for those that may not align with state interests or that may be seen as unnecessary, without rejecting the entire bill.

The line-item veto is particularly useful in ensuring responsible fiscal management, enabling governors to maintain fiscal discipline while still enacting programs that are deemed beneficial. This power is exercised in a manner that can directly influence state spending and resource allocation.