A likely attempt to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty's of the General Assistance Medical Care bill won't happen today, as DFL leaders say they're waiting for the governor to get back into town.

But they're also checking the numbers to be sure an override is possible, reports MPR.

Restoring the health care program for the poorest Minnesotans — after it had been cut by the governor last year to help solve the budget problem — was a top priority for DFLers, even though it would add to this year's budget woes. Both houses passed the bill but the governor vetoed it Friday while in Washington, D.C., for a governor's conference and political appearances.

An override vote is no problem in the Senate, where there is a significant DFL majority; but the House could be different. Even though the GAMC bill passed with a veto-proof majority of 129-9, with 38 Republicans voting "aye," there's been considerable talk that some of those Republicans may be reconsidering their stand, and may end up backing the governor.

Only three Republicans have to stick with the bill to override the veto.

DFL House Majority Leader Tony Sertich told MPR:

"And as far as our colleagues in an override, I think we take an override when we know people are going to be voting for one. And I think 125 of us voted for it and we only need 90. So I'm under the assumption that if the bill was good enough this week, it should be good enough next week."

MPR also says:

House Republican leader Kurt Zellers says he and other Republicans thought the bill would go to a conference committee for changes, not directly to the Senate and then the governor. He said Republicans will back the governor's veto.