FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): The Fort Wayne City Council has once again overridden Mayor Tom Henry’s veto of a ban on so-called “pay-to-play” practices.
Last year, the Council passed a bill that prevented city contracts from being awarded to an entity that contributes more than $2,000 to a city official’s political campaign, after word got out that 2/3rds of Mayor Henry’s 2015 campaign funds came from city vendors.
Henry vetoed that bill, saying it violated state law.
RELATED: Henry receives big donations days before “pay to play” bill takes effect
The Council tried again, making changes Henry’s office suggested, and he vetoed it again on the same grounds. The Journal Gazette reports that veto was overturned Tuesday night on a 7-2 vote, with Democrat Geoff Paddock and Republican Jason Arp voting “no.”
Henry says he supports the bill’s intent but struggles with its enforceability.