PITTSBURGH — The chairman of Allegheny County's Republican committee is suing Democrats on County Council, saying they met in secret last month before voting on a ballot referendum on a 10-percent drink tax.

Jim Roddey, a former county executive, said the Democrats are using their veto-proof majority to abuse their power. Democrats hold 11 of 15 seats on council.

The November referendum in question gives voters the right to keep the drink tax or choose higher property taxes. A citizens group has gathered petitions for their own competing referendum that would cut the drink tax to 0.5 percent.