Term Limits: Will the voters prevail?
Everyone is talking about the possibility of extending term limits. Jo Anne issued a statement on this issue in September. Click here to read her statement.
She testified before the City Council on Friday, October 17. Click here to read her testimony.
She has been featured on the Web and in the New York Times on August 27th, on October 10th and in Brooklyn's Courier,
Statement on Term Limits
Jo Anne Simon
September 7, 2008
All of us who seek New York City office in 2009 are vulnerable to a charge of being self-serving; so, too are those who would seek to overturn term limits. Nevertheless, the issue of term limits is a serious one with significant consequences to the people of New York City.
New York City's voters have twice endorsed term limits of two four-year terms for all City officials. The will of the people should prevail.
That being said, I did not vote for term limits. Among my concerns as that time - long before I ever thought of seeking public office - was the likelihood that while it sounded like a great idea, the law of unintended consequences would rear its ugly head. All too soon, those recently elected would have to set their eyes on the next office to be sought, leading to misplaced focus and an over-reliance on un-elected staff. I believed that the two-term limit was too short for the legislative branch, but about right for the executive. I was concerned that too much turn over would occur at the same time, denying the citizens the value of experienced legislators with institutional memory. I was also concerned that the forced departure of council members would bring new faces, but not necessarily those who better qualified for the positions.
Now we have some experience with term limits. The issues I was initially concerned with are shared by many. I call on the Mayor and the City Council to lead a public debate about the goals and realities of term limits as currently enacted, and investigate whether amending term limits might better achieve the stated goals. Until such time, I believe we must honor the expressed will of the citizens.
Jo Anne Simon
September 7, 2008
All of us who seek New York City office in 2009 are vulnerable to a charge of being self-serving; so, too are those who would seek to overturn term limits. Nevertheless, the issue of term limits is a serious one with significant consequences to the people of New York City.
New York City's voters have twice endorsed term limits of two four-year terms for all City officials. The will of the people should prevail.
That being said, I did not vote for term limits. Among my concerns as that time - long before I ever thought of seeking public office - was the likelihood that while it sounded like a great idea, the law of unintended consequences would rear its ugly head. All too soon, those recently elected would have to set their eyes on the next office to be sought, leading to misplaced focus and an over-reliance on un-elected staff. I believed that the two-term limit was too short for the legislative branch, but about right for the executive. I was concerned that too much turn over would occur at the same time, denying the citizens the value of experienced legislators with institutional memory. I was also concerned that the forced departure of council members would bring new faces, but not necessarily those who better qualified for the positions.
Now we have some experience with term limits. The issues I was initially concerned with are shared by many. I call on the Mayor and the City Council to lead a public debate about the goals and realities of term limits as currently enacted, and investigate whether amending term limits might better achieve the stated goals. Until such time, I believe we must honor the expressed will of the citizens.