Proposed bill would establish term limits for elected Erie County officials

Democratic Erie County Legislator John Bargnesi has proposed a bill that would establish term limits for Erie County elected officials. It would also change the length of the terms for Erie County Legislators.

A public hearing on the proposed bill was held on Tuesday night and both sides of the political party showed up.

7 News reporter Yoselin Person had the chance to speak with Bargnesi, who said term limits in Erie County are past due.

WKBW

“If you’re sitting as an incumbent you discourage people from running so the best thing for the government is fresh blood. So by proposing this bill, all we’re trying to do is pass through the County Legislature so I can get this to the vote to the people in November.”

Attorney Paul Wolf, President of the New York Coalition For Open Government, spoke to 7 News over the phone about the proposed bill

“Term limits would be at least every 12 years, or my preference every eight years, there would be no incumbent, it would be a completely open office,” Wolf said. “I think you would have newer people in office, newer perspectives, and just not the same old politician gamesmanship.”

Republican Erie County Legislator Chris Greene also spoke to 7 News on the proposed term limits.

WKBW

“We haven’t seen a new version get updated yet, but a lot of us agreed on several pieces of legislation that we haven’t seen updated on the bill, but as it sits right now it needs significant changes to get my support.”

It's unclear when the Erie County Legislature will vote on this resolution.

If it passes, it would be on the November ballot for voters to decide.

“We did this in the Town of Tonawanda when I was a town board member and it overwhelming passed,” said Bargnesi.