Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - One Erie County legislator says it's time for term limits in the county's elected offices. The proposal will have to be approved by the voters in a referendum after a series of public hearings once it's out of committee.
"I have seen firsthand how well term limits work in the Town of Tonawanda," said Erie County Legislator John Bargnesi (D). "Term limits help prevent the entrenchment of power by long-serving officials, encourage fresh perspectives and ideals, and promote accountability. This is a commonsense measure that will foster a dynamic and responsive government. By ensuring regular turnover, term limits reduce the risk of corruption and complacency, and they provide opportunities for a diverse range of candidates to participate in government, which can only strengthen our democratic institutions. Incumbents should not be able to hold onto an office forever, we need elected officials who are closely aligned with the needs and interests of their constituents and the changing priorities of our community."
Bargnesi's bill would lead to a maximum of three terms of four years for legislature, clerk, comptroller, sheriff, district attorney and county executive. He says his proposal comes as Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation moving county elections to even years.
"Erie County legislators who will serve a one-year term that does not count (toward the three-term limit). The comptroller, for example, the winner of 2025 election will serve a three year term, and the in 2028 that eventually transition to an even cycle. So the three year limit will begin in the 2028 cycle. What it does is gives everybody equal time to serve their first full four year term where it doesn't start counting into the term limits," Bargnesi explained in an interview with WBEN.
Bargnesi does wonder who would be against term limits.
"This is as good as government as you get, give people an opportunity to speak yay or nay. It would be interesting to hear who will come out against term limits. Are they lifelong politicians that make a living off this?" said Bargnesi, who was on the Town of Tonawanda Board until term limits ended his time there.
Bargnesi says the bill will go to the Government Affairs Committee, and once it comes out, a public hearing will be held prior to a vote by the legislature.
If approved and signed by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, the matter goes to the Board of Elections to be placed on the ballot in November.