Proposition One Passes

11/7/2012 (Updated 6:56:34 PM)

Binghamton City Council will have an easier time overriding the mayor's veto.

Proposition One was approved last night by Binghamton residents. It reduces the number of votes needed by council to override.

It used to be six out of the seven council members were needed to override the veto. Now it's only five out of seven.

Supporters of the change say this creates a better balance of power between the mayor and council. 

"The system was working, I think it's a very dangerous slope to go down to change the powers of the checks and balances, and I thought it was right the way it was, but the voters disagreed. Maybe we should have had more of a dialogue about it," said Mayor Matt Ryan.
   
"Not that we want to override all of his decisions, but there comes a time where there is a conflict and I think this will provide an opportunity for a little more balance in governing and I think it's a win for the residence," said Chris Papastrat the 5th District Councilman.

Proposition One was approved by 58% of the voters.