Today, Mayor Bronson issued a veto to AO 2024-28 (As Amended), which was approved during the Assembly's regular meeting of March 27,2024.
The recently passed assembly ordinance represents a significant amendment to the municipal code, granting the assembly increased authority. It mandates that any actions pertaining to the acquisition or disposal of property rights related to water, minerals, wind, or solar resources, as well as the Fish and Wildlife Program for the Eklutna Hydropower Project and the restoration of continuous water flows to the Eklutna River, must now receive approval from the Assembly.
In his statement, Mayor Bronson cited historical precedent and legal framework as the basis for his decision to veto. "Under Charter Section 16.01, municipal utilities are required to be operated as utilities, not as political tools," Mayor Bronson remarked. "The Assembly's recent shift towards imposing operational control over the proposed Eklutna Fish and Wildlife Program undermines the expertise and decision-making processes of the utilities themselves."
The Assembly's actions, as outlined in AO 2024-28 (As Amended), sought to alter the traditional balance of policymaking power between branches of government, which Mayor Bronson believes may constitute a violation of the Municipality's Charter. "There is no need to change Title 3 of the Anchorage Municipal Code to shift policymaking from one government branch to the other," Mayor Bronson stated. "Assembly action that purports to strip executive and administrative power from the mayor or municipal manager raises the question of a charter violation."
Mayor Bronson emphasized the executive branch's historical authority in making policy and executing agreements regarding the Eklutna River restoration efforts. He asserted that there are alternative avenues for the Assembly to address its concerns without undermining the established structure of municipal governance.
The veto will now be sent back to the Anchorage Assembly, where members will have the opportunity to reconsider the ordinance.
To read the full veto message, click here.
###
Media Contact
Veronica Hoxie, Communications Director
Office of the Mayor
Veronica.Hoxie@anchorageak.gov
907-615-1568