Term Limit Bill Clears It's First State Assembly Hurdle

Albany is a dysfunctional place, but when there is widespread public support for something, the process has an ability to work from time to time. This week the Elections Committee considered and affirmed Hakeem Jeffries' bill to usurp the Mayor and Council's decision to extend term limits and make them put the issue to a vote. The legislation has a long way to go, but nevertheless it is going.

From PolitickerNY:

"While some of us, including myself, are against term limits, the City of New York spoke twice," said Assemblyman Ruben Diaz Jr., the committee chair.

The bill will now advance to the Ways and Means Committee. It would require a citywide referendum in New York by May 1.

Assemblyman Rob Walker, of Long Island raised concerns about whether the city Board of Elections would be prepared in time. A Diaz staffer assured him the BOE could be ready, especially if the bill is passed soon.

There is no indication it will come to the floor expediently, and still has not been approved by the relevant committees in the State Senate. A spokesman for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Ah yes, the State Senate. Hopefully they'll be as diligent as the Assembly is thus far. A May 1st election date is not that far away and everything must be in order quickly. I still feel that the chances of actually blocking the Mayor's re-election bid are slim, but for now, at least they aren't non-existent.

Assembly Will Consider Term Limits Bill Next Week

Making good on his promise to deal with Mayor Bloomberg, Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries is sponsoring a bill to rescind the Mayor and Council's action that extended term limits from eight to twelve years. Next week, the bill will get its shot at moving through the Legislature, even if it is a slim one.

From PolitickerNY:

On February 25, the day Michael Bloomberg meets with Republican County leaders, members of the Democrat-controlled Assembly will consider a bill to block the term-limits extension that allows Bloomberg to run for a third term.

The bill is sponsored by Hakeem Jeffries of Brooklyn.

Here's info on that bill, courtesy of a helpful reader in Albany:

Election Law (DIAZ)

9:00 AM, Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Room 715 LOB

1224-A JEFFRIES, COLTON, MOLINARO, JAFFEE, DIAZ, PEOPLES, KOLB, MILLMAN, BENJAMIN, KAVANAGH, PERRY, PERALTA, BOYLAND, LANCMAN, WEPRIN, WRIGHT, TOWNS, POWELL, ROBINSON, P. RIVERA--

An act to amend the election law, in relation to requiring voter approval for the abolition or modification of term limits for certain elected offices.

While there are a few names attached to the bill (including my own Assemblyman Mr. Kavanagh), it isn't hardly enough to ensure passage. The CW on this is that the chances of actually blocking Bloomberg's re-election camapaign is somewhere between nil and none. While the bill is likely to fail and my hopes of it succeeding are near the CW, getting press on the action is the most crucial part of this.

When Bloomberg pressed Council Members to vote his way, he said that voters will forget that they did an end-run on the democratic process. With actions such as Mr. Jeffries, we will continue to remind New York City that Mr. Bloomberg and twenty-nine Council members disrespected the will of the voters when they passed term limits not once, but twice. Mike may think he is a shrewd politician and an omnipresent one with the backing of his billions, but with enough force, even King Bloomberg can be dethroned.

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?