One Assemblyman Wants To Go Over Council's Term-Limited Head

Almost as soon as the rush to extend term limits began, opponents of the decree by legislative fiat asked the New York Assembly to come in and make the Mayor and Council behave. Some of those in the City Council have come out against the oligarchic move but many are either undecided or truly believe that they can change the law that the people voted in favor of. Well one day after the resolution was introduced in the Council, an Assemblyman by the name of Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) is determined to put an end to the Mayor's political power play.

From Crain's New York:

Hakeem Jeffries, a Brooklyn assemblyman, announced Wednesday that he will introduce a bill requiring any municipality's changes to a term limits restriction be approved by public referendum. The referendum would have to be held no later than the first Tuesday in May preceding the next general election.

Mr. Jeffries said his bill is a response to the move by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the City Council to pass legislation allowing city elected officials to serve a third consecutive four-year term.

“We’re concerned that the fix is in and the deal has already been cut to change term limits without a public referendum,” the assemblyman said before a press conference on the steps of City Hall.

Jeffries knows exactly what is going on here. It isn't hard for anyone to see what the Mayor is up to here. In this case, it is a great thing that the State trumps the City when it comes to the power of the government. Cities are under the care and protection of the state, even New York and when certain people within the city act out of line in accordance with democratic priniciples, something must be done. Of course, there is just one slight problem that needs to be taken care of first.

Mr. Jeffries acknowledges that his bill, to be introduced in January, will not become law if the state Senate remains in Republican control, because Mr. Bloomberg is closely allied with Senate Republicans. The assemblyman is banking on Democrats picking up two of the Senate’s 62 seats in the November election.

That's right, we need to take back the State Senate to ensure voters make the decision on city term limits, not the fifty-two politicians that make up "Mayor and Council." This is just one more reason for us to work hard and turn the Senate blue. I'll probably be canvassing for Jim Gennaro out in Queens this weekend. What will you be doing?