HONOLULU — At least 80 percent of construction workers on Hawaii government projects will have to be state residents from now on.

The Hawaii Legislature overrode Gov. Linda Lingle's veto of the measure Thursday, making it law.

Sen. Robert Bunda, a Democrat representing Wahiawa, says the measure will provide local jobs to local people and keep money in Hawaii.

The Republican governor had criticized the bill because she said it would raise project costs to taxpayers and increase the likelihood of project delays.

Contractors who don't meet the residency requirements could suffer sanctions including contract suspensions and withheld payments.

The bill is SB2840.