By Adam Pagnucco.
County Executive Ike Leggett is threatening to veto a line item in the Capital Budget just passed by the County Council related to his proposed stormwater reforms. While the county’s charter grants the Executive line item veto power, we don’t recall the last time this was actually used. He also expressed displeasure that the council added $14 million of new spending on top of his proposed budget.
We will have more to say about this, but for now, we reprint the Executive’s press release below.
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Statement by County Executive Ike Leggett on the Council Announcement of a Tentative FY19 County Operating Budget
May 17, 2018
“I appreciate the hard work and leadership the Council demonstrated on the FY 19 Operating Budget. The Council approved virtually all of what was initially recommended, including full funding for Montgomery County Public Schools — our shared top priority.
“I am concerned, however, that the Council has increased ongoing expenditures by $14 million over and above my recommended budget.
“In addition, by a 5 to 4 majority, the Council opposed the reform of our stormwater management construction program – a decision that threatens our ability to meet important environmental goals and will certainly delay projects designed to meet our State-mandated MS4 permit — I intend to veto this line item in the Capital Budget.
“We need to make this program more efficient and cost-effective. And we need to be responsive to County taxpayers who – without changes – will be paying more in stormwater management charges to get less. The status quo is unacceptable.”
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