(link to Mayor Purcell’s text included below) Mayor Bill Purcell vetoed the English-first ordinance today. The ordinance would have required all government communications to be in English except in cases of public health, safety and welfare.
Purcell said quote, “we don’t need a law to tell us what language we’re already speaking.” He went on to say “the truth is that no one knows how this law may ultimately be interpreted.” The Metro Legal department said it could be in violation of both the U-S and state constitutions.
Opponents of the measure including Nashville-area Chamber of Commerce CEO Ralph Schulz,
were relieved with the Mayor’s veto.
“Because that legislation was beginning to define Nashville, literally around the world, in a different way than it actually is. So the mayor’s veto of the legislation helped restore Nashville as it really is.”
The bill’s sponsor, Eric Crafton, says the proposal is not dead and he’s already thinking about alternative ideas.
“I will offer a charter revision amendment to put this question to the voters at the August election coming up. And I would hope that the Metro Council would pass that and give people a chance to have their voice heard.”
The bill passed the Metro Council last week 23 to 14.
Read the entire text of the Mayor’s comments here.
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