Marks: Term Limits Bill Still Worth Consideration
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Last month, I introduced legislation that would allow Baltimore County voters to adopt a three-term limit for members of the County Council. My Republican colleague Todd Huff is cosponsoring this legislation.
While I have had numerous conversations with my colleagues on the County Council, this legislation does not have the five votes needed for passage on Tuesday night. That’s unfortunate, because I believe Baltimore County voters would welcome the opportunity to consider this change.
Term limits would fundamentally change county government in three important ways.
First, term limits would guarantee an automatic turnover in county government. Since 1998, there have been 28 separate general election contests for the seven County Council district seats. Not a single incumbent has lost in a general election. Three incumbents lost in primary elections—Louis DePazzo in 1998, Wayne Skinner in 2002, and T. Bryan McIntire in 2010—and in Skinner's case, it was partly due to redistricting.
Second, by limiting the tenure of councilmembers, incumbents would be forced to focus their attention on the most pressing priorities in their district and on cost-effective projects that can improve the quality of life for their constituents.
Third, term limits would provide a burst of fresh ideas and leadership every few years. The current County Council, which includes five freshmen, has enacted numerous zoning and development reforms over the past fourteen months.
I ran for office on a pledge to support term limits. With the introduction of Bill 5-12, the County Council has considered term limits for the first time in its history. While the Council often agrees on issues across party lines, this is one of those subjects—like the expansion of the speed camera program—where there will be a division between the Democratic majority and the Republican minority.
Even if Bill 5-12 fails, I hope that we can revisit this issue at some point in the future.
Should members of the County Council be subject to term limits? Tell us in the comments.
Ktown
8:02 am on Monday, February 20, 2012
Thank you , David. Keep fighting the good fight.
Marty Warren
7:45 pm on Monday, February 20, 2012
David Marks, you just got a lifetime voter
BFD21234
9:21 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Hats off to David Marks. I recently sent a letter to my local delegate and asked that he sponsor and sumbit similar legislation for all State of MD elected delegates and senators. He replied and siad - if he sumitted such a bill - Mike Miller and Michael Busch would remove him from any and all positions and make him sit in the last row in the Md House. We need term limits for State Delegates and State Senators.
Athan Sunderland
9:44 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Thank you Councilman for confirming your vision and delineating your reasoning. I hope you will continue your honest sharing of your positions. My further consideration of your comments include the following additions and implications I suspect you refrained from sharing: First: being an elected official is a duty, not a career, and one that requires change in representative leadership to be most effective; Second: When in office, elected officials should focus on what can and should be done that extends beyond the tangible results delivered within an election cycle; Third: Be committed to your community and yourself, be a leader and dare to do what needs to be done. I always find your outreach and updates refreshing and thoughtful. Thank you for your courage and discipline.
John Doe
11:19 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
David, this position is admirable. Others don't want it because they are power hungry.
Tim
11:28 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Yep, because with increased power comes increased probability of corruption.
Nick M
8:29 am on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Its important to have new ideas, a fresh additude, and motivation in government. Things tend to get stagnant when people stay in the same position for a long time. I think many people in general, many times are nervous to elect someone new because their scared of change. Well with term limits they'll be forced to.