NASHVILLE — Senators voted 24-7 Thursday to override Gov. Phil Bredesen’s veto of a bill that blocks local health boards from requiring that restaurants post food nutrition information on menus.
Rep. Susan Lynn, R-Mount Juliet, sponsor of the bill’s House version, said she hopes to bring the measure up for a House vote next week.
The bill only applies to unelected health boards and would not affect decisions made by elected bodies such as county commissions, said Sen. Diane Black, R-Gallatin, who handled the override during debate.
“I don’t think any of us are against nutritional information being placed on menus for consumers,” said Sen. Black, a congressional candidate. “But an unelected regulatory agency should not have the power to impose these mandates.”
Sen. Doug Jackson, D-Dickson, said Sen. Black’s argument that the bill is “empowering” local elected officials “rings a little bit hollow to me.”