The UOSA Undergraduate Student Congress failed to achieve a two-thirds majority vote to override UOSA President Katie Fox’s veto of the True Democracy Act, a bill amending signature requirements for petitions to submit items on UOSA election ballots.
Fox was denied the ability to address her reasoning for a veto to the entire body, except when given permission during debate.
Fox called the bill “very aggressive, and responsive to last semester’s controversies.”
UOSA Chairman John Jennings yielded the chair to Representative Jonathan Vann, communications district and advertising junior, in order to debate in favor of overriding Fox’s veto.
“Basically, what we’re trying to do is provide accountability to the petition process,” Jennings said.
Representative Forest Bennett, University College district, objected to the bill because he felt the wording was lacking.
“There are measures that go through here that they needed to be pushed through and amended later,” Bennett said. “This is not one of those bills.”
A version of the bill passed congress twice previously.
“It scares me to think we were all so lax in considering it before,” Bennett said.
Vice Chairman and author of the bill Matthew Gress said the bill would be rewritten.
“In the spirit of bipartisanship, we’re going to start from scratch on this,” Gress said.
Fox said she realized the need for reform to the petition process, but this is not it.
“I would be interested in working together to come to a solution, however, I feel ... this legislation does not adequately protect the student rights,” Fox stated in a letter to Student Congress explaining her veto.
The vote was 28 in favor of overriding the veto and 13 in favor of upholding Fox’s decision.
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theotherone 2 years, 3 months ago
the vote was 23 to 13. If it was 28-13, the override would have passed as it would have been greater than 2/3 majority.
soonerboomers 2 years, 3 months ago
More time wasting by student government. No one cares about bills to make it harder to petition. How about you put that 2 million dollar budget to good use for once.
soonervoice 2 years, 3 months ago
I'm confused. The math is not adding up. Were there abstentions? or is it two thirds majority of total members of the body presently voting or members as in seats filled?
daveward 2 years, 3 months ago
John Jennings yielded the chair to Joshua Kalfas so he could debate. Josh is the ConAd committee chair. Jonathan Vann served as secretary.