‘I don’t have the votes to override’ a veto, Councilman Izzy Patoka says

Amid growing community support for immigrant protections, the Baltimore County Council passed a pair of bills known as the Trust Act in a 4-3, party line vote.

The legislation codifies the Office of Immigrant Affairs and limits the county’s ability to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

All four Democratic council members voted in favor of the legislation, while Republicans Wade Kach, David Marks and Todd Crandell voted against both bills.

Councilman Izzy Patoka, who introduced the Trust Act, told The Banner he was unable to add proposed amendments that would have negated part of the county’s controversial agreement with ICE.

The Pikesville Democrat said he was informed by Council Chairman Mike Ertel, before Monday’s meeting, that County Executive Kathy Klausmeier would veto the bill if it passed with those amendments. “If [Klausmeier] does veto it, with the amendments, then we have nothing,” Patoka said. “So, I’m not willing to take that risk for communities that are already being marginalized by the federal government.

”To override the county executive’s veto, at least five council members — a supermajority — need to vote in favor of the legislation, according to the council’s charter.

What is the ICE agreement?

Patoka originally introduced the Trust Act in response to the county’s deal with ICE.

Read full article: Baltimore County Council passes Trust Act with limitations – The Baltimore Banner