City Council's Term Limits Hearing in Progress

The City Council's public hearing about term limits is in progress at City Hall right now. CityRoom reports that so far, only public figures--like administration lawyers and former Governor Mario Cuomo have testified, so it'll be a long day. Notably, City Council member Charles Barron (against changing term limits) told Cuomo who thinks term limits overall are stupid, "To be honest with you, former Governor, I would have rather seen you out in eight years, instead of 12, but it’s hard to get the incumbent out because of the power of incumbency." Other news: Billionaire Tom Golisano will help the effort not to extend term limits, why Bloomberg does support the California initiative against the incumbent-friendly redistricting, and the Mayor refused to comment on Hillary Clinton's term limits comments.

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By Jen Chung in News on October 16, 2008 3:10 PM

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JacqueMehoff

I knew the Detectives union and construction union would be there for bloomberg but there were a few non profits there, too. something stinks.

and I don't mean the citizen's Union.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

Council member Domenic M. Recchia Jr. Is a slimeball. Council member Robert Jackon was filing his nail.

I noted that there were some workers for the Doe Fund, ex-offenders, who spoke favorably for overturning the will of the people and putting it in the hands of the city council. It looks like there were some people "paid" to testify in favor of Mayor Bloomberg/ deputy Mayor Quinn. Also Vallone Jr. really wants to vote to extend term limits. Inez Dickens looks like she made up her minds to overturn the will of the people. Council Member Miguel Maritinez who supports overturning the people's should be arrested. He funded hundreds of thousands of dollars to a non-profit org that his sisters served on. We can't trust the council members, many of them were involved in the slush funds and funneling money to non-existent org. Also council member gave money to orgs to campaign on their behalf. those that spoke in favor of Bloomberg and Quinn were part of non-profit orgs that benefited from the budget allocations. Also ex-offenders employed by Doe Fund spoke in favor for Bloomberg. Smell fishy to me.

HUGO_MEGO

GaryK, Bloomberg's next move is to have only his name on any ballot. It will be impossible to vote against him. King Bloomberg always gets what he wants.

Gregory56

From what I heard of the hearing, it included some good substantive discussion of the policy, despite Barron's antics. Why would he go after Cuomo, who was voted out despite being the incumbant. It would be great if those who oppose a third term could do so on the merits of the policy issue, and not old grudges. We don't need that!

GaryK

it was a very interesting hearing and thank you gothamist for makign me aware of it. one of the people testifying made some great points when he said that the deal was already done and the council had the votes they needed, otherwise bloomberg and quinn would never have started the process. my feeling is that the 'undecided' are simply holding out for promises of money from bloomberg and quinn. the recent article in the new york times had alan gerson listed as undecided. after listening to his comments he is clearly in favor of getting rid of term limits. it is no surprise that the change will directly benefit him and allow him to run for another term as an ineffectual council member. i cannot wait to vote against him. hopefully the courts have not yet been bought and will uphold the will of the people.