City Solicitor Rejects Voter Initiative for Stadium Ordinance in Providence
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Council President Luis Aponte said on Tuesday that he received a legal opinion from the City Solicitor that the voter initiative petition regarding ballparks does not comply with Section 209 of the Providence Home Rule Charter -- and the City Council will not take it up.
The Council office noted Tuesday that the City Charter "provides for voter initiative to enact ordinances, with the exception that such ordinances cannot be related to the budget, capital programs, the appropriation of money, or the levy of taxes."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe petition to the Council for an ordinance titled "An Ordinance Establishing Rules for Stadiums," included language to set parameters on capital programs, the appropriation of money and the levy of taxes related to stadiums and other athletic facilities.
Acording to Aponte, the City Solicitor said that because the ordinance contains provisions that can not be enacted through the voter initiative process, the City Clerk does not need to certify the signatures of qualified electors.
The needed documentation regarding the law department memorandum and response to the petition will appear on the agenda of the October 1st City Council meeting.
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