Joey Durel Discusses His Role In Tonight’s Budget Finalization

City-Parish President Joey Durel stopped by "Mornings with Ken and Bernie" today for our weekly"Lafayette Live" segment.

Mr. Durel was eager to discuss tonight's city council meeting that will finalize the budget for the 2012-2013 year. Durel explained his roll in the meetings and why he may or may not use his veto power.

The overall budget will be decided tonight and unless I veto something I will sign the budget.

I can line item veto to veto individual projects. I've done that before when a councilman adds a project to the budget but doesn't say where the money will come from or doesn't how much that project will cost. In the charter that's inappropriate so I'll veto the project.

I have 10 days to sign the budget once it's been given to me, and if I do veto something the budget is returned to the council for an additional vote. If the council can get six votes to go against my veto my veto will be overturned.

Though it may seem strange that a councilman would submit a project without an idea of how much it will cost and how it will be paid for, Durel explained that it does happen.

The real answer is that it plays well in the councilman's district. It's against the charter, it's risky, it's useless, but they do have the right to do it.

To listen to the full interview, click the play button below.