Council Overrides Leggett's Veto of Bill 11-12

Tuesday saw a couple of firsts for Montgomery County:

For his first time in office Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett (D) vetoed a bill passed by the Montgomery County Council.

For the first time since 2002, the council voted to override an executive veto.

And, for the first time possibly ever, the council has given itself a voice in the disposition of county land and assets.

The council voted 6-3 Tuesday to override Leggett's veto of Expedited Bill 11-12

The new measure requires the county executive to receive council approval before selling county property at less than full market value. It also grants the council a 30-day comment period to set parameters for a deal negotiation. If the executive deems land to be of no further use to the county, the council has the authority to approve the deal.

Six votes are required from council to override an executive's veto. The vote to override the veto was the same as the vote to pass the bill on May 1. Council President Roger Berliner, Vice President Nancy Navarro and Councilmembers Phil Andrews, Marc Elrich, George Leventhal and Hans Riemer voted to override the veto. Councilmembers Valerie Ervin, Nancy Floreen and Craig Rice voted to uphold the veto.