Live blogging on term-limits vote, cont'd

The amendment introduced by Councilman David Yassky and supported by colleagues Alan Gerson and Gale Brewer, which Mr. Yassky is now introducing, will set the stage for a voter referendum on the term-limits extension in early 2009.

"You know the arguments. Voters have supported term limits twice," including a referendum in which the two-term limit was specifically upheld, said Mr. Yassky.

Making a referendum mandatory will avoid making the city more cynical about politics and government, he said. It's necessary because he and his colleagues have decided self-interest in the issue, he added.

"If there's ever a case for putting the policy judgment of the public over our own, this is it," said Mr. Yassky of Brooklyn, who remained on the fence over the term-limits issue until very recently despite intense pressure from groups opposing the legislation Ms. Quinn just introduced.