Board tables consideration of mayoral vetoes on June special election

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Feb. 2009 waived a procedural rule to consider mayoral vetoes the day they were received, then voted to table further consideration of two vetoed items that would have modified election deadlines and called a June 2, 2009 special municipal election.

The board first severed item 33 from the consent calendar so it could address veto items that had been transmitted by the mayor. The Board waived board rule 4.19 — which governs same-day consideration of mayoral vetoes — without objection to permit immediate consideration of the mayor's transmittal. No public comment was offered during that brief procedural discussion.

Following the waiver, the board considered whether to proceed with overriding the mayor's vetoes on items 6 and 7 (the ordinance adjusting election procedures and a resolution calling a June 2, 2009 special election). Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi moved to table consideration of the two vetoes; Supervisor John Avalos seconded. The roll-call vote recorded 11 ayes and the motion to table passed, delaying any action on the vetoes.

Why it matters: the action preserves the mayor's vetoes from immediate override and leaves open whether the board will revisit the items or pursue a different timeline for placing fiscal measures before voters. Charter Section 2.106 (referenced at the meeting) governs the process for receiving and acting on mayoral vetoes; the board's decision to table means the charter deadline timelines remain a factor for future consideration.

What happened next: after the motion to table carried, the board proceeded to other agenda items. There were no formal votes on overriding the vetoes at this meeting.

Discussion vs. decision: the record shows procedural discussion, a unanimous procedural waiver, and a formal vote to table — a definitive board action that deferred substantive consideration rather than resolving the underlying election items.