New Bedford City Council Unanimously Overrides Mayor’s Paid Family Leave Veto

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — The New Bedford City Council overrode Mayor Jon Mitchell’s veto of the Paid Family Leave Ordinance Thursday night, creating the ability to give the City’s Unit C employees paid leave to deal with medical or other issues for themselves or family members.

The Background of the New Bedford Veto Clash

City Councilor at Large Shane Burgo filed the original motion and has been championing the cause for the past three years. Following the council’s original passing of the ordinance, Mitchell vetoed the ordinance in July.

In an appearance on WBSM following the veto, Mitchell said he was in support of paid family leave but cited unknown costs and that the City Solicitor had found the council’s ordinance had “inconsistencies with state law.” He also said the city just couldn’t afford it, in the wake of budget cuts, the elimination of positions, and layoffs in order to meet the FY2027 budget.

“We just can’t afford it,” Mitchell said. “There’s a level of tone deafness here that is just really striking.”

Burgo issued a response to Mitchell’s veto at that time, calling it “disappointing because it prioritizes speculative concerns over the needs of the hardworking employees who keep our city running every day.” He also made an appearance on WBSM to counter Mitchell's claims.

New Bedford City Council Overrides Mayor Mitchell's Veto

On August 20, the council unanimously overrode Mitchell’s veto 11-0, officially making it law. After his passionate speech during the meeting itself and the vote that followed, Burgo issued another statement, saying he was “proud that the council stood together and sent a clear message: we support working families.”

READ: Councilor Burgo's Statement on the Paid Family Leave Ordinance Passing

“I also want to again make clear what I have said throughout this process, this ordinance does not increase the city’s operating budget and does not create an additional cost to taxpayers,” he said. “The funding comes from salaries and wages that have already been budgeted and adopted. This benefit does not provide employees with additional money; it simply gives eligible employees the ability to take paid time off when they need it for qualifying circumstances.”

How New Bedford's Paid Family Leave Ordinance Is Funded

He pointed out that funding for overtime already exists, should someone be required to cover a position while an employee is out on paid family leave. “There is no new appropriation and no increase to the city’s operating budget as a result of this ordinance,” he said.

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One thing Burgo pointed out is that the city council can only extend this benefit to Unit C employees; those who are members of municipal unions will not receive it because it has to be negotiated by the mayor’s administration and the leadership of each union. Still, Burgo called it “an important first step.’

“For three years, we have worked toward this moment. Last night, the council delivered,” Burgo said. “Working families deserve this benefit, and I’m proud that we made it happen."