Fed up with last-minute vetoes, William Lindsay, at right in file photo, who is presiding officer of the Suffolk legislature, is looking to cut in half the time County Executive Steve Levy, second from right, has to issue them, say highly-placed legislative sources.
Lindsay may file a measure as early as this week that would cut Levy’s time for vetoes to seven days from 15. Levy withheld vetoes on $58 million in community college capital projects until after last month’s regular meeting — forcing Lindsay to call a special meeting Friday, the third such extra session in a month. When Levy finally acted, he abrasively said the county needs “the courage to say no” and asked why he should make it easier for the legislature to override his vetoes.
“People on both sides are angry with him,” said a legislative source. “And what Levy’s done is just stupid.”
Rick Brand
Comments (2)
Levy is a hero to taxpayers. Neither the GOP nor especially the Democrats care at all about taxes. I hope Levy continues to veto ridiculous spending items. This shows why Levy has a 90% approval rating and the legislators are disliked. In fact, the Legislature itself should be disbanded to save money with a weighted board of supervisors reestablished.
Levy is clearly out of touch with the community regarding the importance and vitality of Suffolk Community College. Every time he has vetoed a budgetary item, it has been overturned. "Ridiculous spending items"? Absurd. The local economy gets enormous returns for every dollar it invests at Suffolk. Suffolk trains and educates locals which sustains the local economy. You think supporting the college is expensive .... try NOT supporting the college and watch a vibrant contributor to the culture and economy wither. Talk about short-sighted. Levy's single-mindedness (about taxes) prevents him from wise governing. We are lucky to have Legislators who recognizes the importance of supporting our local college.