Yeah, I know the presidential sweepstakes kicks off in earnest today. And yeah, Hillary Clinton will be in Florida on behalf of Barack Obama, and Sarah Palin will go on World News Tonight. Still, today we talk local. There's a move afoot in New York City to overturn the will of the voters. Those who would benefit are playing coy, not wanting to discuss it much, for fear of angering the people who put them in office.
I'm talking about changing term limits for local elected officials. Term limits are currently set at two consecutive terms for all members of the City Council, as well as citywide elected officials, including the mayor. The limits were set by voters in a referendum more than a decade ago, then affirmed in a second round of balloting. It's no secret members of the Council have wanted to get rid of them, but they're pretty sure if it goes to another referendum, they'll lose.
So what to do? How about passing a law that sets term limits at three instead of the current two? That kills two birds with one stone. It bypasses the electorate, and it allows elected officials to run for a third term next year. Another referendum couldn't get on the ballot until next year, too late for the current crop to benefit. And what of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who swore up and down he was done on Dec. 31, 2009?
Not so fast. After saying he wouldn't run again but would consider what kind of term limits law the Council passed, Hizzoner seems to have had a change of heart. Not about the consideration part, but about running again. True, he's a popular guy, but in shifting positions doesn't he run the risk of looking like Rudy Giuliani at the end of 2001? You may remember Rudy thought (and still thinks) he was the city's savior, without whom New York might fall apart. When his bid for a third term fizzled, he wanted to stay an extra 90 days. That didn't work either.
Mike Bloomberg has toyed with the presidency, and there's was talk he might run for governor in 2010. He tamped that down, but few people think if term limits were extended he wouldn't make another run for mayor.
You tell me. Should term limits be extended?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
1 comment:
No. Like you, I didn't/don't like term limits BUT the voters have twice voted for term limits.(I voted against.) Let the will of the voters be honored.
I do not like this mayor, nor the previous. Same policies,but this one smiles, goes to an occassional funeral and says regrets when his police force kills as opposed to Mr. Nastiness Rudy. It might be that this mayor finds something he can't buy.
Post a Comment