Easley unhappy with Bush veto on child health insurance plan

RALEIGH (AP) -- Gov. Mike Easley wants help from lawmakers with a veto -- this time one from President Bush on a bill that would have expanded children's health insurance dramatically.

Bush rejected the bill because he said it was too costly and expanded the federal-state program beyond its original intent of helping children in low-income families.

Easley says "there is no excuse" for any member of the North Carolina congressional delegation not to support an override. Bill supporters are about two dozen votes short of an override in the House.

President Bush has said he is ready to negotiate with lawmakers on a compromise.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)