Fact Brief: Does the San Jose mayor lack veto powers?

According to San Jose’s charter, the mayor doesn’t have the power to veto legislation or the actions of City Council. 

According to city documentation, the specific and unique powers of the mayor’s office allow the official to make recommendations to the city council, address the public annually, direct the public information office, preside over city council meetings while acting as the governing body’s 11th member. San Jose has 10 city councilmembers.

In 2020, then-Mayor Sam Liccardo introduced a “strong mayor” initiative that would’ve given the office more power. Under “strong mayor” systems, the office typically has the power to hire and fire city department heads and veto power over legislation. Liccardo dropped the issue due to community pressure. 

He proposed creating a Charter Review Commission to consider changes. In 2021 the commission recommended the current “Manager-Council” form of governance model be maintained.