- Sep 26, 2000
- 28,559
- 4
- 0
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10...d67165b8c74&ei=5087%0A
Billionaires Opposing Bloomberg
A pair of billionaires on Monday threatened to imperil Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg?s bid to revise the city?s term limits law, just days before a possible vote on the measure by the City Council.
Tom Golisano, the owner of the Buffalo Sabres and a political and philanthropic force in western New York, said on Monday that he would finance an advertising campaign to fight Mr. Bloomberg?s plan, which would allow the mayor, council members and other city officials to seek another four-year term next fall.
Meanwhile, the cosmetics heir Ronald S. Lauder, whose support Mr. Bloomberg has carefully cultivated, signaled in an interview that he would vigorously oppose allowing council members now serving their first term to remain in office for three terms. It was his finances and advocacy that led to the establishment of term limits, in 1993 and 1996 referendums.
Mr. Lauder?s position, and the implied threat behind it, could make it harder for the Council speaker, Christine C. Quinn, to round up enough votes to change the law.
In exchange for his support of the mayor?s plan, which would apply to all officials elected citywide and to council members, Mr. Bloomberg has promised Mr. Lauder a seat on a charter revision commission that would consider the question of term limits. Mr. Lauder said he would push to return the limits to two terms in a subsequent referendum, likely in 2010.
That would mean that any freshmen council members who support Mr. Bloomberg?s proposal to extend term limits could not take advantage of it themselves and run for a third term.
?I don?t think they should be under the illusion that somebody can make a provision that gives them an automatic third term,? Mr. Lauder said of the freshmen council members. ?I think they should vote for the extension regardless.?
The votes of freshman members could be critical in deciding the outcome of the mayor?s legislation, and aides to Ms. Quinn have been reassuring wavering freshmen that they will be given an exception if term limits are restored to two terms later. Mr. Lauder?s remarks cast doubt on that assurance, though.
The Council could vote as early as Thursday on the mayor?s bill, but as of Monday no vote had been scheduled.
What I find humorous and sad is term limits went to the public in a referendum TWICE and was approved overwhelmingly TWICE.
What part of TERM LIMITS doesn't Bloomberg understand?
And Bloomberg is basically saying waive term limits for me because I am so good?
Either overturn, or modify for the next mayor. AFTER you submit it to the voters again.
Otherwise, Bloomberg should just fade quietly into his Billionaire life.
Billionaires Opposing Bloomberg
A pair of billionaires on Monday threatened to imperil Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg?s bid to revise the city?s term limits law, just days before a possible vote on the measure by the City Council.
Tom Golisano, the owner of the Buffalo Sabres and a political and philanthropic force in western New York, said on Monday that he would finance an advertising campaign to fight Mr. Bloomberg?s plan, which would allow the mayor, council members and other city officials to seek another four-year term next fall.
Meanwhile, the cosmetics heir Ronald S. Lauder, whose support Mr. Bloomberg has carefully cultivated, signaled in an interview that he would vigorously oppose allowing council members now serving their first term to remain in office for three terms. It was his finances and advocacy that led to the establishment of term limits, in 1993 and 1996 referendums.
Mr. Lauder?s position, and the implied threat behind it, could make it harder for the Council speaker, Christine C. Quinn, to round up enough votes to change the law.
In exchange for his support of the mayor?s plan, which would apply to all officials elected citywide and to council members, Mr. Bloomberg has promised Mr. Lauder a seat on a charter revision commission that would consider the question of term limits. Mr. Lauder said he would push to return the limits to two terms in a subsequent referendum, likely in 2010.
That would mean that any freshmen council members who support Mr. Bloomberg?s proposal to extend term limits could not take advantage of it themselves and run for a third term.
?I don?t think they should be under the illusion that somebody can make a provision that gives them an automatic third term,? Mr. Lauder said of the freshmen council members. ?I think they should vote for the extension regardless.?
The votes of freshman members could be critical in deciding the outcome of the mayor?s legislation, and aides to Ms. Quinn have been reassuring wavering freshmen that they will be given an exception if term limits are restored to two terms later. Mr. Lauder?s remarks cast doubt on that assurance, though.
The Council could vote as early as Thursday on the mayor?s bill, but as of Monday no vote had been scheduled.
What I find humorous and sad is term limits went to the public in a referendum TWICE and was approved overwhelmingly TWICE.
What part of TERM LIMITS doesn't Bloomberg understand?
And Bloomberg is basically saying waive term limits for me because I am so good?
Either overturn, or modify for the next mayor. AFTER you submit it to the voters again.
Otherwise, Bloomberg should just fade quietly into his Billionaire life.
Facebook
Twitter