City Councilmembers Battle Mayor Over Budget Priorities
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Fiery accusations were aimed at Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg by fellow councilmembers in a packed Sacramento council chamber Tuesday afternoon. It's all over a battle for money.
Sacramento's budget includes two dozen neighborhood projects which Mayor Darrell Steinberg calls "his priorities" for Sacramento. Of the projects picked — none are in Councilmember Jeff Harris or Angelique Ashby's districts.
Ashby has been fighting for city funding for a world-class Natomas aquatics center.
"I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't very irritated, Mayor, that nothing in Natomas was included in the budget. You could say that the aquatic facility was too expensive, and I could refute that," Ashby said.
Approximately 100 members of the public signed up to speak on the issue today. The mayor denies his priorities were political.
The $16 million budget passed without projects from Ashby or Harris' districts.
FOR MORE: Councilmembers Accuse Mayor Of Witholding Money From Districts As Political Payback