Monday, February 12, 2007
This Just In: Hizzoner Wields the Veto Pen
Posted by Bruce Barry on Mon, Feb 12, 2007 at 12:26 PM
From NashvillePost.com (following a midday news conference):
The Metro Council can try to override the veto, but last week's Council passage of the measure on third reading came on a vote of 23-14-3, which falls short of the two-thirds (27 votes) needed to override.
UPDATE: The new analysis by the Metro Department of Law is a 14-page opinion (not yet posted on the department's Web site) concluding that the ordinance may well violate the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. and Tennessee constitutions because of its vagueness. Invoking U.S. Supreme Court precedent, the opinion also suggests that the prohibition of languages other than English in all government communications (unless they fall within specified exceptions) could be construed by a court as "a surrogate for racial discrimination" and hence an equal protection violation.
The opinion goes on to discuss free speech problems with the measure. It points to "a substantial likelihood" that the measure places an "undue burden on protected speech due to the overly inclusiveness of the restraint on non-English communications." The ordinance's vagueness as to what is or isn't included will have a "chilling effect" on speech that could be restricted. The opinion also discusses ways that the measure may impermissibly limit rights under both constitutions to petititon for redress of grievances.
UPDATE II: A Statement from the mayor.
Mayor Bill Purcell is vetoing the English-first ordinance that Metro Council passed last Tuesday. The Metro Legal department analyzed the legislation after it was passed and apparently has concluded that it likely violates the U.S. and Tennessee Constitution.
The Metro Council can try to override the veto, but last week's Council passage of the measure on third reading came on a vote of 23-14-3, which falls short of the two-thirds (27 votes) needed to override.
UPDATE: The new analysis by the Metro Department of Law is a 14-page opinion (
The opinion goes on to discuss free speech problems with the measure. It points to "a substantial likelihood" that the measure places an "undue burden on protected speech due to the overly inclusiveness of the restraint on non-English communications." The ordinance's vagueness as to what is or isn't included will have a "chilling effect" on speech that could be restricted. The opinion also discusses ways that the measure may impermissibly limit rights under both constitutions to petititon for redress of grievances.
UPDATE II: A Statement from the mayor.
English is our language. It has been so since before the city existed more than 200 years ago.
It is the language we use to conduct the city's business. In order to get ahead in Nashville a person needs to be able to speak English.
This has been the case for more than 200 years. It is not going to change.
We don't need a law to tell us what language we are already speaking.
We don't need a law that will make it harder for a police officer to do his job, for a school teacher to teach or for a doctor to help a patient.
This ordinance was introduced last September and for the last six months the sponsors have been twisting arms and trading votes to get it passed. Some sponsors say it is an important law while other sponsors say it has no effect at all. The truth is that no one knows how this law may ultimately be interpreted. If this law takes effect, this city will be engaged in years of lawsuits testing the effect and constitutionality of the ordinance. That means hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees whether we win or lose, for no good reason.
This is not who we are. At the heart of this ordinance is the issue of immigration. We are dealing with that issue by supporting the deportation of illegal aliens who commit crimes. But this ordinance goes beyond illegal immigration to put at risk our community and its ability to welcome and work with those people who come to our city legally and want to be a part of our city.
The Legal Department is clear in its opinion today that advised me that this ordinance is unconstitutional. The ordinance states that "all communications . . . shall be in English." The exceptions are so broad that there is no way to know what is and is not allowed.
What do we do when a Kurdish or other refugee wants to take an English class at the Cohn Adult Learning Center?
What do we do when a Japanese company wants to find out about economic development opportunities?
What do we do when a foreign tourist wants to find out how to get to the Parthenon?
What do we do when someone who only speaks Spanish wants to report suspicious activity in a neighborhood, or a codes violation, or a pothole?
This ordinance does not reflect who we are. When the waves of immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries came to Nashville, they became part of our community. Germantown and the Oktoberfest are reminders of those immigrants.. Most recently the NHL has brought people from all over the world to our city to work and to play.
Last year, the Celebration of Cultures at Centennial Park attracted 15,000 visitors to celebrate the diversity of the many communities and ethnicities in our city. Last year Nashville was chosen as one of three cities to host a World Cup soccer exhibition. Last year we welcomed the Greek Orthodox Church to a national convention here in Nashville, the most successful in history. Then we welcomed Hadassah.
Last year we welcomed the leadership of Nissan Motor manufacturing. This year we are planning to welcome a new Japanese Consulate to our city. In April I will lead a delegation of Nashville business leaders to what is now the fastest growing economy in the world. The great overarching truth in our success in this still new century is that we are a welcoming, inclusive, and friendly people and place.
If this ordinance becomes law, Nashville will be a less safe, less friendly, and less successful city. As mayor, I cannot allow that to happen. Therefore I am vetoing Ordinance 1185 and returning it to the Metro Council where I hope it will remain never to be seen again and that we can turn our full attention once again to education and public safety and quality of life which are the real work of a city and should be the work of its leaders now and forever.
Comments (22)
Showing 1-22 of 22
