Erie County Council overturned most of County Executive Brenton Davis’s 2026 budget vetoes on Dec. 8, prompting cheers from a packed crowd that viewed many of the cuts as targeting minority and vulnerable communities.
Council also struck multiple vetoes from its agenda that it deemed “illegal” or improper. That included a veto of the .33-mill tax increase approved by council on Nov. 20.
Here are some key takeaways.
Human Relations Commission, neighborhood centers funded
The Erie County Human Relations Commission survived a veto attempt.
Council voted 6-1 to override Davis’s veto of funding for the commission, which investigates discrimination complaints in employment, housing and public accommodations. Republican Councilman Charlie Bayle cast the lone dissenting vote.
Council also voted 6-1 to override vetoes of $25,000 allotments to the Booker T. Washington Center, the Martin Luther King Center and the Urban Erie Community Development Center, with Bayle again as the sole nay vote.
Erie County Council member Andre Horton said he was “disappointed” in the lack of investment in the Black and brown community over the past four years.
Councilman Andre Horton called the allotments “potato chip money” for organizations that provide a valuable return on investment.
“I think over the last four years, these centers have been defunded at a far higher rate, and it’s shameful that we even have to debate $25,000 for neighborhood centers that do tremendous work — especially in a nearly $580 million budget. I think it’s crazy,” Horton said.
In another 5-2 vote, council overturned a veto of $263,190 for the Summer Youth Jobs Program, which is run by the Greater Erie Community Action Committee and provides paid work opportunities for youth.
Black Wall Street, Diverse Erie funding falls short
Council fell one vote short of the five-member supermajority needed to restore funding for Erie’s Black Wall Street and one of two $250,000 allocations for Diverse Erie. Both overrides failed 4–3, with Democratic Councilman Jim Winarski joining Republican members Ellen Schauerman and Bayle in opposition.
In a Facebook post, Erie’s Black Wall Street said it was “disappointed, but not dismayed” by the loss of $249,990 in planned 2026 funding.
Erie resident Tywonn Taylor encourages Erie County Council on Dec. 8 to continue funding programs aimed at empowering minority youth.
“Despite not receiving enough votes to override the county executive’s veto, and therefore not receiving vital funding to continue our work, we will carry on for our people and our community,” the post read. “We are not going anywhere.”
Erie’s Black Wall Street, a nonprofit, advances Black economic opportunity through business promotion, entrepreneur support and financial and homeownership programs.
Davis issues vetoes: Davis vetoes tax hike, minority, youth programs funding in 2026 budget
A second $250,000 allotment for Diverse Erie managed to survive a veto, with council voting 5-2 to override.
Diverse Erie Chief Administrative Officer Gary Lee said he hopes to use the funding for homeownership initiatives and diversifying the construction trades.
Davis attempt to veto tax hike is blocked
Council voted to strike multiple vetoes from its agenda that sought to increase funds beyond what council had adopted on Nov. 20.
As per a Dec. 8 ruling from Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court, an executive only has the veto authority to eliminate or reduce items — not add or increase items.
Erie County Council voted to override several 2026 budget vetoes on Dec. 8, 2025.
The vetoes sought to add $250,000 for municipal projects and another $528,055 for municipal infrastructure.
According to council, the “illegal vetoes … upset the balanced budget by introducing a planned deficit.”
Council adopts 2026 budget: Erie County Council OKs 2026 budget. Here are the key takeaways
Because council must adopt a balanced budget under the Home Rule Charter, members also struck Davis’s veto of the previously approved .33-mill tax increase from the agenda. With that action, the 2026 tax rate remains at 6.94, costing the owner of a $100,000 home an additional $33 next year.
Winarski, Schauerman and Boyle voted against the strike.
Other overrides
Council voted 5-2 to override Davis’s veto of $1.5 million for Pleasant Ridge Manor, preserving funding to continue operations at the county-owned facility. Bayle and Schauerman were the two opposing votes.
The same 5-2 majority also restored funding for computer equipment in the county and court IT departments, as well as $71,000 for public-safety asset grants.
Contact A.J. Rao at arao@gannett.com or 814-440-5080.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie County Council overrides bulk of Davis 2026 budget vetoes