Term limits may land on November ballot

In January, Miami-Dade County voters rejected term limits for county commissioners, which was coupled with a massive salary hike for the politicians. 

Carlos Gimenez called for term limits during his 2011 campaign but said little as it headed for defeat on the Jan. 31, 2012, ballot. We rated his campaign promise Stalled after that vote.

When Gimenez sat down with the Miami Herald days before his Feb. 28, 2012, State of the County Address, he said he would urge commissioners to place a new term limit question on the November ballot or support a citizens" petition drive to pose the question to voters.

Gimenez spoke about term limits in his speech:

"First and foremost, I support placing eight-year term limits for commissioners on the November ballot. .... It's a vital reform that I have been pushing for since 2007, as a commissioner and active member of the charter review task force. Our residents wanted term limits back then, and they want them now. Whether by citizen-initiated petition, or the commission follows the lead of Commissioners Lynda Bell and Rebeca Sosa and places the question on the November ballot our voters have the right to decide on term limits for commissioners once and for all. No conditions, no tricky language -- just eight-year term limits. Period."

Commissioners will hold a special meeting March 8 to consider a proposal by Bell and Sosa to ask voters in November if they want term limits. (This link shows a slew of charter reform proposals by commissioners that will be discussed.)

A Feb. 9 press release from Sosa explains that the question would limit commissioners to no more than two consecutive four-year terms, excluding terms of service prior to 2012. 

"I believe residents have spoken loud and clear on this matter – they want term limits,” said Sosa. "It"s clear they also want to vote on this matter separate from the issue of commission salary. By placing this item on the ballot during the general election, the turnout should be much higher than the previous election concerning this issue, and the County saves taxpayer money by not holding a separate special election.”

Commissioner Barbara Jordan has proposed a separate amendment that would give commissioners a pay hike from $6,000 a year to $75,000, according to the Herald. 

Political activist Vanessa Brito is gathering voters" signatures to get a question about term limits on the ballot that would limit commissioners to two four-year terms and apply that retroactively.

Gimenez is now speaking out for term limits, and it appears that either citizens or commissioners could get the issue before voters in November. We rate this promise In the Works.