All legislative powers of the Merged Government are vested in the Council, and the Council shall have the power to act legislatively with respect to all matters which are within the powers of the Merged Government. The term legislative power is to be construed broadly and shall include the power to review the budgets of, and appropriate money to, the Merged Government and such independent agencies as provided for in this Charter. The powers of the Council shall also include the power to levy taxes, subject to the limitations of this Charter and the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The Council, or a committee of the Council, appointed under Council rules for establishing standing and temporary committees, shall have the power to make investigations into the affairs of the Merged Government and the conduct of any department, office or agency of the Merged Government. For this purpose, the Council, or such duly appointed committee of the Council, may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, and require the production of evidence under penalty to be established by the Council. It may, subject to official action by the Council, appropriate such sums as may be required to hire counsel or expert assistance for the purpose of conducting such investigations.