LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Metro Council is set to make a big decision next week on whether or not they have confidence in Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer.
The public safety committee voted 3-3 Wednesday on a resolution calling for a vote of no confidence. Council members, split on the resolution, voted mostly down party line as the resolution moved forward with no recommendation for its passage or failure.
Committee members James Peden (R-23), Mark Fox (D-13) and Marilyn Parker (R-18) voted to pass the resolution, while Barbara Shanklin (D-2), Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4) and Madonna Flood (D-24) voted against it.
The tie means the resolution will reach the full council for discussion with no recommendation from the committee. If passed, the resolution would not remove Fischer from office, but request his resignation and express the council's position on decisions his administration has made.
All seven of council's Republicans signed on as co-sponsors of the legislation, which they proposed on August 18.
Minority Caucus Chair Kevin Kramer (R-11) said the resolution was a result of their "ever-eroding confidence" in Fischer — pointing to allegations of misconduct at TARC, LMAS and in the LMPD Explorer program as well as his administration's response to Breonna Taylor's death and ongoing protests.
"I do not believe the mayor is the right person to lead us out of this. I have lost confidence in him," council member Anthony Piagentini (R-19) said.
Though all committee members who spoke said they have disagreed with some of the actions Fischer's administration has made during his tenure, those who voted against the resolution said it would not help lead the city out of unrest.
"I think it's disingenuous to believe that this resolution solves anything," Flood said. "Resolutions are not laws."
Sexton Smith called it "the wrong thing to do at the wrong time," saying the council should be working together to help bring change to city through legislative work.
"It makes no sense to change the coach when you're at the Super Bowl and it's halftime," she said.
Council members Kramer and Piagentini said the "tipping point" for them was Metro government's recent decision to sue the council in attempt to block testimony from interim LMPD Chief Robert Schroeder and Chief of Public Safety Amy Hess.
Council's government oversight committee issued subpoenas for the two officials as part of its investigation of Mayor's Administration and the handling of social justice protests, Breonna Taylor's case and David McAtee's death.
President James said he hasn't decided yet how he will vote on the resolution, but he said it could impact vote if the mayor issued an apology to the city.
"It isn't clear cut," Metro Council President David James (D-6) said. "There's a portion of council that supports the resolution. There's a portion of council that doesn't support the resolution. I expect we will hear more debate."
The mayor issued a statement Wednesday night, writing:
"These are challenging times for our city. I know that I've made mistakes and I've disappointed some. I am deeply sorry for that, and most importantly, I am sorry for the tragic death of Breonna Taylor. My team and I are working hard every day to address the challenges we face, including the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the economic downturn, the increase in violent crime, and the protests for racial justice. As Mayor, I have responsibility for leading that work, but no one person, and no one team, can do it all alone. This resolution further divides us at a time when we must work together, and I humbly ask for greater partnership with the Council as we move ahead to improve our city."
The resolution will be discussed and voted on by all council members at Metro Council's Sept. 17 meeting.
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