The seventeen-member Westchester County Board of Legislators is the legislative, policy-making branch of county government that has been in operation, in one form or another, for over 300 years!* It is to Westchester what the US Congress is to the United States. Each legislator is elected for a two-year term and represents a district of approximately 54,000 residents. A legislator must reside in the district he or she represents.

Unlike the US Congress that is bicameral or has two chambers composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, Westchester legislature is unicameral, having only one legislative body or chamber.

The County Board meets at least once a month, usually on Monday evenings in the legislative chambers located on the 8th floor of the Michaelian Office Building. All Board meetings are open to the public.

The powers of the County Board of Legislators are enumerated in the County’s charter. A key power of the Board concerns finances: appropriating funds, approving the budget and levying taxes. It also approves appointments by the County Executive and passes local laws, acts and resolutions, all requiring nine votes for passage except for bond acts that require twelve. Laws and acts are then sent to the County Executive for his signature or his disapproval. A veto by the County Executive can be overridden by a two-thirds vote of the Board.

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