Quinn backs Bloomberg's term-limit overhaul; "billionaires" rejoice
Noah Countability, Phil T. Rich, Isla Lordit Overya, Anita Yacht and Thurston Howell 4th are members of Billionaires for Term Limits Except for Billionaires. “As billionaires we are just not used to limitations,” Yacht said. (Photo: Jefferson Siegel)
By Marlene Naanes
mnaanes@am-ny.com
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn yesterday threw her support behind the mayor’s push to extend term limits permanently.
Reiterating some of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s arguments for a third term, Quinn said at a City Hall news conference that the city is facing a global financial crisis and “continuity of leadership” will help pull the city through.
“In these difficult times, I believe voters should have the choice to keep the current leadership of our city,” said Quinn, who was seen as a potential mayoral candidate before Bloomberg announced his view on term limits, which he once supported . “If voters are not happy with any of us, they have the right to vote us out of office next fall.”
Quinn said she talked with city leaders in the public and private sector, including labor officials and good government advocates, before coming to a decision to permanently extend term limits from two to three four-year stints. She noted yesterday that New Yorkers also will be able to voice their opinion at two City Hall hearings this Thursday and Friday.
In public, Quinn had been on the fence about the term-limits change. Quinn’s support could be central in convincing resistant council members. She promised yesterday that she made no deal with Bloomberg, and that council members who vote against the measure would not face punitive action.
The issue could come up for a vote as early as Oct. 23.
As quickly as Quinn’s news conference ended, elected officials and a satire group, Billionaires for Term Limits Except for Billionaires, spoke out.
“As billionaires we are just not used to limitations,” said a woman who went by the moniker Anita Yacht. Another billionaire added, “we paid for three terms and we’re going to get them.”
Other roadblocks to the mayor’s plan have been lifted in recent days. They include billionaire Ronald Lauder, who funded a campaign to create term limits in 1993, recently threw his support into the plan after opposing it.
Remaining hurdles include a conflict-of-interest complaint filed by two advocacy groups, saying that Bloomberg improperly used his position for his own benefit in making a deal with Lauder.
Mayoral candidate U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn-Queens) and Councilwoman Letitia James (D-Brooklyn) also continue to stand in the mayor’s way. James, who also complained to the Conflicts of Interest Board, countered Quinn’s statements about voters still having a choice in the 2009 election next year.
Council opponents are seeking to enact a voter referendum on term limits, which were approved by voters in 1993 and reaffirmed in 1996.
“You can still have a choice if you do things the right way,” she said. “Let the voters decide. That’s really the issue.”
Comments (1)
Is Tish James planning on actually getting anything done during her time in office? Please, just name one of her accomplishments? Anyone, anything? 2007 Safe Housing Act, a rouse, considering her own tenants have long criticised her inability to provide safe and affordable housing. Showing up at rallies, making more enemies, is what she is good at. Can she please put her energy into negotiating with education leaders to improve our schools, reduce the crime rate (G Train muggings), simply compromising with her political enemies, do we need to remind her how to do her job? Is it possible for Tish James to end the hate mongering, reach across the isle to her opponents, meet with other city leaders (not talking down to them), to actually get the work that her constituents need, done?