St. Louis County Council Overrides Vetoes, Enhances Oversight

The St. Louis County Council has overridden vetoes from County Executive Sam Page on two bills related to a controversial ballot initiative, Proposition B, which would empower the council to dismiss county department heads. One bill, criticized by Page as a 'gag rule,' restricts county employees from discussing political campaigns while on duty. The other bill allocates $520,000 from the county's Rams settlement fund to finance the ballot initiative, a move Page opposes as improper use of the funds. Meanwhile, in Kansas, the House and Senate have overridden Governor Laura Kelly's veto of legislation that shortens the mail-in ballot counting deadline, potentially disqualifying thousands of ballots. The bill, supported by Republicans, reflects concerns over election integrity, despite warnings from the Secretary of State's office about its disenfranchising effects. In Utica, NY, the Common Council successfully voted to override the mayor's vetoes on the budget, resulting in a tax increase of 3.13%.