Mike Jameson: Mayoral Veto Would Set the Bar Higher

Metro Council Member Mike Jameson told the City Paper:

The English First ordinance was so enormously divisive and so symbolic to the city that, if it passes, it should pass because it receives a supermajority or a two-thirds majority rather than a simple majority. If the mayor vetoes it, he could do so without necessarily indicating that the legislation is bad ... raising the bar to hold that legislation to a higher standard because it has been so divisive for the city.

Sounds fair to me. If the Eric Crafton's specific substitute bill enjoys 85-90% support as supporters keep claiming, then getting two-thirds of the Council to override a Mayoral veto should not be a problem. Of course, you have to wonder whether 85-90% of Nashvillians actually support Crafton's exact bill, or just 85-90% of Crafton's family support it.

By the way, reporter Bill Harless quoted the Mayor's Office as saying that he had made no official comment on English First. Someone missed the Mayor's official comment to NewsChannel5. The Tennessean also has comments from the Mayor's Office.