SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois House has failed to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of funding for college grants and two-year schools.

(Credit: Henryk Sadura)
(Credit: Henryk Sadura)

The House debated restoring hundreds of millions of dollars in college funding for two hours Wednesday afternoon. But overcoming Republican Rauner’s rejection of the spending required 71 votes. It failed 69-48.

The legislation involved $397 million for the income-based Monetary Award Program and $324 million for community colleges.

But Illinois is in its ninth month without a spending plan because of a disagreement between Rauner and Democrats who control the General Assembly.

The Senate voted to override the veto earlier in the day. But an override by the House wouldn’t have forced spending. Rauner complains there’s no money to cover the bill.

But Rauner supports a Republican measure co-sponsored by Salem Republican Rep. John Cavaletto would provide approximately $1.68 billion that would come from general revenue to fund colleges and universities, and students’ MAP grants.

That measure, however, is is tied to other proposals that would grant the governor sole authority to reallocating funds and reducing spending.