Onondaga County legislators have taken the first step toward changing how long they can stay in office. Voters could have the ultimate say in November. The proposed bi-partisan measure would extend lawmakers’ terms from two to four years, but would also limit them to three consecutive terms. Right now, there are no term limits. Democratic floor leader Nodesia Hernandez said her caucus advocated for more turnover.
“We decided that maybe 4, 4-year terms, or 16 years is a lot," Hernandez said. "The first change was can we change this to 3, 4-year terms. So that was a blessing.”
GOP county legislature chairman Tim Burtis said it adds definition for legislators.
“This lays some general groundwork of this is your term, this is the maximum that you can serve," Burtis said. “To give some perspective to folks of this is what you can expect if you want to be an elected county legislator. I think that that would be helpful for all of us. There's a beginning, there's an end.”
The idea isn’t new. Burtis said these changes have been on his radar since he was first elected ten years ago. Only two other current lawmakers have been in office longer. But in the early 2000’s, some lawmakers had served for nearly 30 years. Burtis said it also helps voters who get tired of the constant campaigning.
“'You're here again, didn't you just run?' And many of them say, 'you know, this is crazy that you run every two years'," Burtis said. "For us, it's helpful that we're not always on the campaign trail. It allows us to settle in and focus on being a legislator.”
The measure moved out of the Ways and Means Committee Tuesday with virtually no discussion. All county legislators take up the charter change at a rescheduled session August 1. The earlier date is needed to meet state deadlines to get on the November ballot for voters to decide. If approved, the changes would take effect starting with the 2026 election. The term limits are not retroactive.
