New York State Senator Chris Jacobs of Buffalo is renewing his push for term limits for all elected state leaders, that would include the Governor and State Attorney General. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley said Jacobs met with reporters in downtown Buffalo Friday morning at the Mahoney State Office building.
“Albany has been rated one of the most – if not the most – dysfunctional governments in the country. Jacobs said it is time to change the “culture” in Albany, pointing to past corruption in the senate and assembly among long-time political leaders.
“The epidemic level of corruption in Albany – I believe again – that term limits go to this issue. When you look at the multitude, I think over 20-elected officials who have been either convicted or indicted on corruption – one of the few common strands of those 20-elected officials is they’ve been in office for a very, very long time,” Jacobs remarked.
Jacobs would like an eight-year term limit for state politicians. It was one of the first pieces of legislation Jacobs introduced last year, following his senate election.
Lawmakers would need to amend the state constitution in order to implement term limits.
“So we would need to get this past in two-successive legislative cycles – so hopefully it could happen this year and then we would get it again next year and then it would be on the ballot,” Jacobs explained.
Jacobs is also applauding Governor Cuomo for including a term limits bill in his budget proposal issued earlier this week.
"I was just thrilled to read in the Governor's budget message he has put in a proposal for term limits," Jacobs stated.
