NYC Comptroller's Press Release - THOMPSON STATEMENT ON VOTE BY NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL TO EXTEND TERM LIMITS


ST08-10-051		October 23, 2008
Contact: Press Office		212-669-3747

THOMPSON STATEMENT ON VOTE BY NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL TO EXTEND TERM LIMITS

Photo credit: Marla S. Maritzer

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. fields media questions at City Hall following a vote by the New York City Council to extend term limits on October 23, 2008.

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. issued the following statement today following a vote by the New York City Council on term limits:

Today’s vote is an affront to New Yorkers. It says that their votes and their voice do not matter, that bullying and heavy-handed threats are more powerful than democratic ideals.

I am saddened that our Mayor and majority of City Council members have put individuals before principles. Today our government chose to empower itself rather than the people it serves.

Despite the rising tide of opposition to a Council vote, and in the face of a public poll that showed nearly 90 percent of New Yorkers wanting the issue put to a voter referendum, our City Council decided to turn its back and close its mind. This is a sad day for New York.

###