PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia City Councilmember Allan Domb is taking a second shot at putting limits on how many terms councilmembers can serve. He introduced a bill at Thursday’s council session that would put term limits on the May primary ballot.
Domb first proposed term limits three years ago — just before Council elections — and it sank like a stone. He says, this time around, he increased the proposed number of terms members could serve, and he was able to attract more support.
“The last time I introduced term limits, it was for three terms, and I had two cosponsors. This is for four terms, starting in January of 2024, and we have six co-sponsors, including myself,” Domb said.
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He says term limits would bring fresh ideas and improve voter engagement.
“We should pass this legislation, put it on the ballot in May, and let the citizens of the City of Philadelphia decide whether or not they want to have term limits for council,” Domb said. “And if they decide to have them, great. And if they decide not to have them, that’s great too, but at least they’ve made the decision.”
Opponents of the measure say elections already are the ultimate term limit referendum — that voters are free to unseat anyone they like.
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Domb would need 12 votes to get it on the ballot, and several councilmembers are already on the record as against limits. Council President Darrell Clarke threads the needle. Clarke also introduced term limit legislation, two years ago, but as a trade-off for a charter change that would allow councilmembers to keep their seats while running for other offices.
“It should only be fair. If you’re going to have term limits, you should afford that opportunity to allow those people to run for other offices,” Clarke said.
Asked if he would renew his proposal in light of Domb renewing his, Clarke said, “Stay tuned.”
Also at Thursday’s session, Council approved new boundaries for its 10 district seats, reflecting population changes in the 2020 census.