Council Schedules Friday Meeting to Deal With Mayor's Veto

The Common Council has scheduled a rare Friday meeting to address Mayor Sebastian Giuliano's line item veto to the budget which was amended by the Council last Thursday.  In his veto, Giuliano rejected the amendment which would move non-certified Board of Education payroll into the city's purview.  Democratic Council members hope to override that veto, maintaining control of employee payroll with the Board of Education.

The meeting Friday conflicts with statewide Republican and Democratic conventions which all members of the Council are expected to attend.

The Council has ten days to address the mayor's veto, which was issued on Tuesday, May 18.

"We tried to find a day which would work with all Council members," majority leader Tom Serra said.  "But the Council chambers are booked Monday and Tuesday, and we have conflicts with the attendance of other members on other days."

Republican members have protested that they may not be able to attend the Friday Council meetings because of commitments at the state convention.

"All the members of the Democratic caucus will be at the meeting," Serra said.  "We're putting city business first.  This budget is the city business.  And in my mind, to put the convention first is not the correct priority.  Our Democratic members will attend the convention, but they'll arrive late.  Why can't the Republican members arrive late.   The first day of the convention (Friday) is all about socializing and meeting the potential candidates."