Hein veto of ethics legislation survives override try
Ulster County legislators have failed to override an executive veto blocking changes to the way members of the county’s Ethics Board are appointed.
The vote — only four in favor of overriding and 17 opposed — followed a sometimes testy debate and was a marked reversal from the 17-5 approval of the legislation last month.
The August vote was to change the county charter to take away from the county executive the sole ability to recommend appointments to the five-member Ethics Board. Instead, the Legislature would be given the authority to appoint three of those appointments. The Legislature’s chairman, majority leader and minority leader each would have an appointment to the board.
The law also would enable members to be removed from the board by a simple-majority vote of the Legislature.
The proposal drew opposition during public hearings, including from the League of Women Voters’ Mid-Hudson chapter and the head of the county Board of Ethics.
Ulster County Executive Michael Hein vetoed the measure, stating in a three-page veto message that the measure was technically flawed, violated the tenets of good government and could lead to corruption.
Legislator Joseph Maloney, who along with Legislator David Donaldson sponsored the resolution, blasted his fellow lawmakers for what bowing to what he claimed was “pressure” by Hein. Since taking office in January, Maloney, D-Saugerties, has repeatedly accused Hein of being corrupt.
“It’s not OK for 17 of us to de-
cide that this is a best way to do it, then over a week or two … after a couple of phone calls and pressure from this very powerful executive …. for us to turn our vote around here after 17 of us decided this was the best way to go … is mind boggling to me,” Maloney said.
“We do live in America, and people do have the right to change their mind,” said Legislator Richard Gerentine, who voted against the original resolution and the veto override.
Gerentine, R-Marlborough, said he was offended by Maloney’s accusations of bowing to the executive. “I think we’re all independent thinkers here,” he said.
Legislator Lynn Archer, who originally voted in favor of the change, voted against the override because of the issues raised by the executive in his veto message.
In an interview following the meeting, Maloney said he might introduce another local law to change the appointment process, however there is no such resolution on the Legislature’s October agenda.