The Anchorage Assembly has less than two weeks left to override the mayor’s veto of the gay rights ordinance, but the first opportunity to do so came and went Tuesday night, as the assembly took no action.
The ordinance’s author, Patrick Flynn, says the Assembly would have to start all over if it wants to pass the ordinance because it simply does not have the support.
It would take eight votes to override the mayor’s veto and the ordinance only passed seven votes. (more…)
Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan vetoed the controversial anti-discrimination ordinance on Monday, citing negative comments and arguing that there is no need for the measure.
City leaders passed the measure that bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in areas of employment, housing and credit by a 7 to 4 vote last week. The ordinance exempted religious organizations from the regulations.
“My review shows that there is clearly a lack of quantifiable evidence necessitating this ordinance,” Sullivan said in a statement. “My review also shows that the vast majority of those who communicated their position on the ordinance are in opposition.”
An override of the mayor’s veto will require 8 votes
The decision was announced in a statement, and the mayor did not grant interviews.
