Hannemann: City Council Never Overrode a Veto
Former Mayor Mufi Hannemann says he’s never had one of his vetoes overturned by the Honolulu City Council.
“My record at City hall was very clear. When I decided to veto, I never had a bill overridden,” Hannemann said in his opening remarks at a gubernatorial debate put on by the last week.
He compared his five-year record with vetoes at City Hall to Gov. Linda Lingle‘s record at the Capitol.
Is it possible that the nine-member council couldn’t muster the six votes needed to overturn one of the former mayor’s vetoes?
As it turns out, Hannemann shouldn’t be making such blanket statements.
Hannemann vetoed relating to requirements for city transit stations on Dec. 1, 2006. Three weeks later, on Dec. 22, the council voted to approve the bill, “the mayor’s veto to the contrary notwithstanding.”
In other words, they overrode his veto.
To approve the ordinance over the mayor’s veto, the council needed six “yes” votes, which they got. Those who voted in favor of the override were: Todd Apo, Romy Cachola, Donovan Dela Cruz, Charles Djou, Ann Kobayashi, and Barbara Marshall. Those voting against were Nestor Garcia, Gary Okino and Rod Tam.
The ordinance was passed and its title published in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin on Jan. 1, 2007.
