Liu on term limits

"Referendums are a safety valve on the normal legislative process," said City Councilman John Liu. Mr. Liu is a hopeful for citywide office, maybe public advocate, maybe comptroller.

Term limits weren't the result "of a rich man's ad campaign," he said. It was born of a "deep cynicism" over politics nationwide.

"If we're going to change this, and I believe it should be changed, either extended to three terms, or abolished altogether, we need to put it back to the people," Mr. Liu continued.

Mr. Liu went over his time, but was trying to argue that after all the work done to include folks who might not normally participate in the legislative process, people who might stay out of politics out of that same cynicism, changing through legislation a decision made through referendum might undo much of that work.

Tony Avella just spoke and Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito just took the floor. We're still hearing from opponents of the current legislative term limits extension.

I'm not at city hall — I'm listening thanks to the magic of WNYC.