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Council likes term limits



The majority of the Escondido City Council at their May 25 meeting expressed a desire to put a measure before the voters that would impose term limits for the council and the mayor.
In proposing the limits, councilmember Mike Morasco said, “We did another poll. One item was consideration of term limits. It was probably one of the highest responses in favor. It was significant. I felt it was time to bring it back.”
Mayor Paul McNamara agreed “As a council we’ve always said we wanted community input in everything that we’ve done. And we have it.”
City Attorney Michael McGuinness gave information on what other cities in San Diego County have done with term limits. He noted it would require a majority of the council to put it on the ballot, and then a majority, plus one, of voters to adopt limits. Such limits would not affect the current office holders, but would take effect in the next electoral cycle. So, for example, McNamara could be reelected to a second term, and still run for two more terms if a term limit of two terms was adopted.
McGuinness said 10 local municipalities don’t have term limits. The council would need to decide whether the limits would be lifetime, or consecutive, and whether partial terms would count towards the total. Each city that has term limits does it differently, he said.
If the council wanted to put the measure on the November ballot, “we would need to move fairly quickly,” said McGuinness. “We would need to get it to the Registrar of Voters by August 12.”
Morasco added, “Personally I look at federal and state offices. California has moved completely to term limits at all levels. The County has done so as well, as have other cities. When I look at federal office holders, and people who have been in for decades and decades, I don’t care what side you’re on, I don’t think that was the intent of our forefathers. I don’t think it behooves us to have people in office that long to become institutions.”
He continued, “We have in Escondido examples of people who were in office term after term after term. I’d like to see new blood, young blood, to have other opportunities. It’s wide open whether two or three terms. We are talking about three elected positions. It’s for future terms. When I’m done.”
Councilmember Tina Inscoe said what got her attention was the high score in the poll for term limits. “Seventy percent plus said yes. I believe that new people, new ideas could benefit us,” she said. “Getting the future generation out there and getting them involved is very important. I would look at three four-year terms. I think we need to address it because the citizens say it is a priority.”
Councilmember Joe Garcia said, “For the last number of years I have realized that the voters are making it clear that term limits is something that is important. I think we should look into it. Three consecutive terms for mayor, council. I think our residents have expressed they would like an opportunity.” He added, “Although every four years they have an opportunity to encourage us to do something else. I think it’s OK that we have term limits. It’s definitely worthwhile.”
Councilmember Consuelo Martinez questioned who made the question part of the poll. “I’m surprised it was included in the poll,” she said. “This is not something my constituents ever reach out about. There are a lot of other priority things. I have not heard this brought up at public comments. We are all new here. We are all in our first terms, except for Morasco.”
Morasco reiterated that the public’s desire for term limits have “been expressed many times over the years.” That was why it was included in the poll. “So we were ready to find what the public feels about it. It was overwhelmingly in favor.”

Martinez argued that it costs money to put measures on the ballot. “There is no rush,” she said. “We could still do this next year and 2024. It will not impact our terms. I’m not in a hurry to discuss this. I think we could hold off on this.”
McNamara said, “As a council we’ve always said we wanted community input in everything that we’ve done. And we have it. My colleagues said three terms. I can live with three or two. I’m not sure I could live that long. I’m ready to move forward on it.”
Morasco added that he thought the terms should be cumulative, e.g. one could win one term, skip a term, and be elected again, but be limited to two terms.”
Martinez added, “Your first term goes by really fast. Two terms go by really fast and that’s when you start getting the flow. My concern is not the terms limits but the timing, and the cost of the ballot measures.”
Morasco quipped, “To quote one of my very wise colleagues, ‘The cost of government, costs money.’ ”
McNamara proposed to put the measure on this November’s ballot and that there should be three cumulative terms of four years for the council, and two terms for the mayor, starting in 2024.
Martinez repeated, “Even though we asked the question, it’s not something people have contacted me about. The person who brought this forward is also the longest serving council member.”
The measure will be brought back to the council for a final vote.

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