Brand Uses Veto; says Council ‘Pushing the Envelope’

File photo.

FRESNO (KMJ) – Fresno’s mayor used his veto pen Monday. Lee Brand issued the third veto of his term, saying ‘no’ to an amendment to the “Transparency in City Government Act.” It was the council’s attempt to prohibit retroactive raises after an employee has given notice to quit.

“Its roughly 100-plus employees affected by this,” Brand said. “I believe it should be the city manager who has the authority, not the council.”

The mayor says members of the city council never reached out to him to discuss the amendment’s long-term implications.

“I believe council is pushing the envelope as far as their authority and the charter,” Brand said.

Mayor brand added that during his eight years on the city council, the authored 18 legislative acts and during their development each one was thoroughly discussed by the mayor and city manager in a collaborative process.