Mayor Mike Johnston isn’t budging on Denver City Council’s request to continue funding a local universal basic income program .
The big picture: The mayor won’t support allocating $2.5 million to the Denver Basic Income Project (DBIP) in the city’s 2025 budget, his office announced last Friday.
- Johnston previously endorsed the program; his support is still touted on DBIP’s website .
Why it matters: The standoff could result in the city council using a supermajority to overturn a possible Johnston veto.
The intrigue: Eleven of the 13 city council members support funding DBIP, per an Oct. 10 straw poll obtained by Axios Denver.
- Nine or more votes are needed to override a mayoral veto.
Catch up quick: City council members requested the money after the mayor’s initial proposed budget didn’t include funding for the no-strings-attached program, which gives money to people experiencing homelessness.
- The proposal was among 22 recommended changes to the mayor’s spending plan . It’s part of the annual process to assemble a city budget.