FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
October 7, 2008
James Wu, 347-234-2762
City Council Candidate Elizabeth Crowley Calls on City Council to Oppose Term Limit Extension
NEW YORK – City Council Candidate Elizabeth Crowley today called on the City Council to vote against proposed legislation that would extend term limits by amending the City Charter. Crowley called on the Council instead to support a bill that would require any such extension to be decided by a referendum of the voters. Crowley is running against Anthony Como in a race for the council seat vacated by Dennis Gallagher earlier this year. In June, Como narrowly won a special election to fill the seat temporarily, and city rules require another election be held for the seat this November.
"No candidate in this race has any business supporting this undemocratic move by some city councilmembers to grant themselves an extra four years in office," said Crowley. "From where I stand, the prospect of being able to serve my community for eight years as a councilmember is privilege enough."
Twice in the last fifteen years New York City voters have affirmed a limit of two four-year terms for all elective offices in the city. In 1993, city voters elected to create term limits through a charter amendment, and in 1996 voters rejected a measure to extend term limits to three four-year terms. Although the matter was put to the voters both times, some are making the case that the City Charter allows an amendment to term limits clause to be made through the regular legislative process. Councilmembers Bill deBlasio and Letitia James are putting forward alternate legislation that would create a charter review commission to look at the issue and potentially bring it to the voters for a referendum at a special election to be held in early 2009.
"If term limits are going to be changed, then it must only be done by a referendum of the voters," Crowley said. "The people have already spoken twice on this issue, and the city council has no business doing an end-run around such a mandate. In filling vacant council seats like the one Mr. Como and I are running for," continued Crowley, "the charter ensures that people do not win their seats without going before the voters at a regularly held election. The city's elected officials must uphold the same level of integrity if they want to overturn a decision made by the voters," argued Crowley.
Mayor Bloomberg and others have argued that the extension is needed to enable Bloomberg to use his expertise to help navigate the city through the financial crisis. Crowley also argued that the nation's financial woes do not justify the proposal to extend term limits.
"The city was in a much more immediate crisis in October 2001 when Mayor Giuliani wanted an extra three months in office, and the city got through just fine without compromising term limits then," said Crowley. "Mayor Bloomberg is not the only qualified person to lead this city, and it would not justify extending term limits for all elected officials even if he were. Mr. Como, because he is not term limited, must do the right thing here and respect the rights of New Yorkers to decide this issue," concluded Crowley.
