Why Elorza May Bluster, But Is Unlikely to Veto the Council’s Budget

Why Elorza May Bluster, But Is Unlikely to Veto the Council’s Budget

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza issued a highly critical statement after the City Council’s Finance budget slashed his spending plan by $5 million on Saturday, but it is highly unlikely he will veto the budget.

Elorza presently is visiting Hawaii this weekend on a trip paid for by the Providence Tourism Fund.

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In the statement, Elorza said, “The budget that was passed out of the Providence City Council [Saturday] morning is not at all a representation of our collective commitment to investing in the long term health of our city.”

“I cannot support and sign a budget that was hastily thrown together and passed without having been through the most basic budgetary processes.

This budget cuts critical services and supports for our residents and reflects an unprofessional negotiation process. Instead of focusing on important public policy issues…” said Elorza.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE.

"Time is running out for us to pass a responsible budget before the city begins to feel the consequences. I ask the council to go back to the table in earnest to pass a responsible budget," said Elorza. 

The budget is scheduled to go before the Council on Wednesday for first passage and on Friday for second passage.

Next Steps -- and Why Veto is Unlikely

Elorza’s spokesperson would not respond to questions about a veto of the Finance Committee Budget. Emily Crowell, spokesperson for Elorza, told GoLocal, “At this point, our finance team needs to review the budget that was just now presented to them before anyone has confidence in the numbers that were provided.”

Providence is already late in adopting the Fiscal Year 2020 budget. The City’s fiscal year starts on July 1, and in a best-case scenario, the budget will not be adopted until Friday and then transmitted to Elorza.

Even if Elorza signs the budget Friday, it takes approximately ten days to get the tax bills printed and mailed to residents.

The city’s short-term cash crunch is modified as the State of Rhode Island is scheduled to make a one-time payment on the Payment In-Lieu of Taxes program (PILOT) of $32 million which will ease cash flow issues.

In addition, an Elorza veto could potentially be overridden, but the process would further delay tax bills.

Lastly, an Elorza’s veto, if not overridden would throw the budget process into further chaos. The city council is only scheduled to meet once in August.

Elorza’s intentions will not be known until he returns from Hawaii— the date has not been disclosed by his office. He is traveling with staff, his partner and his infant son.

READ THE CITY CHARTER BELOW

“Each resolution or ordinance adopted by the city council shall, within twenty-four (24) hours of final passage thereof, be transmitted to the mayor by the city clerk. Any ordinance adopted by the city council as an emergency measure shall be acted upon by the mayor within three (3) days after receipt thereof by the mayor from the city clerk. All other ordinances or resolutions shall be acted upon by the mayor within ten (10) days of such receipt. The mayor shall either approve such ordinance or resolution adopted by the city council by signing and returning the same to the city clerk within the time limit applicable thereto, or the mayor shall disapprove and veto any resolution or ordinance, or veto or reduce any separate appropriation item or items, and shall return each such resolution or ordinance to the city clerk with written objections thereto within the time limit as aforesaid. Failure of the mayor to make such return within ten (10) days, or three (3) days in the case of an ordinance adopted as an emergency measure, shall constitute approval and such ordinance or resolution shall take effect at the time indicated therein without the mayor's signed approval.