Mayor Bloomberg vetoed a package of bills designed to expand access to federal food stamps last week, calling it an overreach of Council power. The bills, backed by anti-hunger advocates and easily passed through the Council, would have created an online food stamp application, distributed paper applications for the program at food pantries and soup kitchens, and made it easier to obtain exemptions from face-to-face interviews if disabled. The mayor also vetoed the Tenant Empowerment Act, a bill that would give tenants a chance to bid on their subsidized apartment buildings. Though the Council has enough votes for an override, advocates fear that summer vacations could interfere with the vote, now scheduled for August. (T. McMillan) [07/25/05]