Yesterday I received this press release from the offices of De Blasio and Tish James about the term limit controversy:

Today, Councilmembers Letitia James and Bill de
Blasio, and Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum held a town hall to allow community
members to voice their opinions on the Mayor’s legislation to extend term
limits. The Council held nearly
twenty hours of hearings this week on this issue. New Yorkers who signed up to speak had to wait for hours,
and many were no longer present when their names were finally called.

"Voters have made the
decision to enact and uphold term limits; let’s not engage in runaround
democracy.  8.2 million people always trumps 51 members, and the Mayor’s
proposal is in clear violation of the rights of voters," said
Councilmember Letitia James.

"The Mayor’s blatant
attempts to circumvent democracy and keep voters out of the process continued
at this week’s hearings. We are
here today to ensure that all New Yorkers have a chance to voice their opinions
on this important issue. There is
absolutely still time to hold a referendum on extending term limits, and the
legislation that Councilmember James and I have introduced ensures that the
voters will be heard," said Councilmember Bill de Blasio.

Multiple pieces of legislation
were heard this week. The Mayor
presented his own bill to extend term limits for elected officials from two to
three terms by Council vote. The
Council also considered legislation by Councilmembers de Blasio and James that
calls for the creation of a Charter Review Commission that would examine the
issue of extending term limits, and would hold public hearings and a referendum
in the spring. The two Council
hearings this week at City Hall provided the only opportunity for the public to
voice its concerns over the Mayor’s legislation, thereby excluding many working
New Yorkers and those who live in the outer boroughs.

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum
said, "This is not about term limits, it’s not about the job the mayor has
done, and it’s also not about continuity during a financial crisis. It’s about
whether or not, in a democracy, it is okay to disregard people’s votes. While I
can only support extending or changing term limits through a public vote, at
the very least, the Council must prolong any vote until public hearings can be
held in all five boroughs. That’s why we’re here today, to give as many New
Yorkers as possible an opportunity to have their voices heard."