Board of Supervisors overturns mayoral veto, keeps placeholder for special election

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 8-2 on Feb. 10, 2009, to override Mayor Gavin Newsoms veto of an emergency ordinance that would have modified election procedures and deadlines for a potential June 2009 special election.

The override preserves the boards placeholder authority to modify election deadlines while supervisors and city officials continue negotiations over budget, revenue and structural reforms. A yes vote on the agenda item was described as an override of the mayors veto; a no vote would have sustained it.

Supervisor Bevan Dufty said the board should keep the placeholder in place to allow time for continued talks toward a citywide package of solutions. Dufty asked Deputy City Attorney Cheryl Adams to spell out options for the board, and Adams told the board that it could rescind its prior resolution calling for a special election by introducing a new resolution and passing it by simple majority. "What's before the board today is the veto of modification of some of the election deadlines," Adams said. "Last week, the board also adopted a resolution calling for a special election. That's a resolution that was adopted by a simple majority of this board, and this board could also rescind that resolution by introducing a resolution rescinding its vote to call for a special election. That's also a simple majority vote."

Several supervisors said they respected the mayors view that June might not be viable but supported keeping the option open while talks with labor and business stakeholders continue. Supervisor Chris Daly and others signaled interest in considering later dates; Supervisor Tom Ammiano said he planned to introduce resolutions later in the meeting to repeal the June calendar and to call for a special election no later than Aug. 31, 2009, pending the outcome of ongoing negotiations.

In a roll-call vote, Supervisor David Chiu and Supervisor Scott Wiener (recorded in the transcript as two "no" votes) opposed the override; eight other supervisors voted to overturn the veto. The clerk announced "There are 8 ayes and 2 noes" and declared the motion approved.

The boards action leaves intact the ability to call a special election but does not set a final election date. Supervisors repeatedly framed the vote as procedural: keeping a placeholder while negotiations on a comprehensive package of revenues and cuts continue. Several supervisors emphasized that additional actions, including possible resolutions rescinding or replacing the June election call, would return to the board based on progress in stakeholder talks.

The board moved on to the next agenda item after the override vote; supervisors indicated they expected further agenda actions in the coming weeks to clarify timing and content of any ballot measures.

Speakers

- Supervisor Bevan Dufty, Supervisor, government - Deputy City Attorney Cheryl Adams, Deputy City Attorney, government - Supervisor Tom Ammiano, Supervisor, government - Supervisor David Chiu, Supervisor, government - Supervisor Scott Wiener, Supervisor, government - Board president Carmen Chu, Board president, government

Authorities

- other: "Resolution calling for a special election" (referenced_by: ["item_1"]) - other: "Board rules of order" (referenced_by: ["item_17"])

Actions

- {"kind":"other","motion":"Override mayor's veto of the emergency ordinance modifying election procedures and deadlines for a June special election","mover":"not specified","second":"not specified","vote_record":[{"member":"Carmen Chu","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Joan Daly","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Bevan Dufty","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Scott Wiener","vote":"no"},{"member":"David Chiu","vote":"no"},{"member":"Michela Alioto-Pier","vote":"excused"}],"tally":{"yes":8,"no":2},"outcome":"approved","notes":"A yes vote overrides the mayor's veto. Board may rescind or replace resolution calling for a special election by simple majority."}

Discussion vs. decision

- Discussion: Supervisors debated timing and viability of a June special election and emphasized need for broader consensus and additional revenue/structural reforms. - Direction: Deputy City Attorney advised on process options (rescinding or replacing the prior resolution by simple majority). - Decision: Board formally overrode the mayor's veto (8-2).

Clarifying details

- The deputy city attorney said the board's earlier resolution to call a special election was adopted by simple majority and can be rescinded by simple majority. - Supervisor Ammiano indicated intent to introduce potential resolutions to repeal the June election and call a later special election no later than Aug. 31, 2009 (to be considered in the coming weeks).

Proper names

[{"name":"Board of Supervisors","type":"other"},{"name":"City and County of San Francisco","type":"agency"}]

Provenance

- {"block_id":"block_261.63","local_start":0,"local_end":200,"evidence_excerpt":"Item number 1 is the consideration to override the veto by the mayor of the emergency ordinance declaring the existence of an emergency for the purposes of modifying various election procedures and deadlines for a June and identifying the proposed revenue measures that would be submitted using the modified procedures, the question is to consider the veto override. A yes vote overrides the mayor's veto. A no vote sustains the mayor's veto.","reason_code":"topicintro"}

- {"block_id":"block_842.845","local_start":0,"local_end":120,"evidence_excerpt":"The mayor's veto is overturned.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}

Searchable_tags

["special election","mayor veto","budget","Cheryl Adams","election deadlines"]

Topics

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