Arundel weighs 3rd term for its lawmakers

Smith backs measure to raise council limit from 2 terms to 3

Anne Arundel County Council members are considering whether two terms is enough time in office.

Twenty-four years after voters imposed term limits on the council, a charter amendment introduced by Councilman Pete Smith would increase that limit from two terms to three — extending the potential tenure of a council member from eight years to 12.

Smith, a Severn Democrat, says an additional term would build institutional knowledge on the council, benefiting constituents.

“I always thought the legislative branch had a disadvantage because we are part-time,” he said. “You have a system where, potentially, every eight years the entire system changes, where you don’t have continuity.”

Athird term, he said, could “act as a bridge.”

“I’ve just always thought that12 years was an appropriate time to really apply the office and to see things through.”

In Baltimore, there are no term limits on the mayor or City Council members.

Both Baltimore and Harford counties have no term limit for council members, but limit their county executives to two consecutive terms. Howard County limits council members to three terms, and an executive to two terms. Carroll County commissioners are limited to two consecutive four-year terms.

Maryland’s governor is restricted to two consecutive terms, while state legislators are not term-limited.

Common Cause Maryland, the local chapter of a national group that advocates transparency in government, does not generally take a stance on term limits, according to Damon Effingham, the group’s policy director.

“There are pros and cons, but we generally veer on the side of not having them,” he said. “When you do have term limits, it really seems like the only institutional knowledge that’s there are the lobbyists and people whoare there to say, ‘This is how it’s done.’ ”

Anne Arundel voters would have to endorse the change to the County Charter. But before the question can make it onto November’s general election ballot, it would have to be approved by at least five of the council’s seven members. Most of them said they’re still weighing the pros and cons.

Meanwhile, County Executive Steve Schuh opposes the idea, said his spokesman, Owen McEvoy. Councilman Chris Trumbauer, an Annapolis Democrat, said he’s not inclined to support an extra term, though he is willing to listen to arguments for the measure.

“I don’t have any strong feelings about term limits in general, but I do feel like, in local government, it’s healthy to have fresh ideas come in and different perspectives come in,” he said.

Councilman Michael Peroutka, a Millersville Republican, called two terms a “reasonable” amount of time for council members to serve.

“I’d have to be convinced that there’s a necessity for a change,” he said. “I’m comfortable with the status quo.”

Several councilmen noted that their vote would only be on whether to pass the issue on to voters.

“I think term limits are important and there’s a certainly a place for them,” said council Chairman Derek Fink, a Pasadena Republican. “At the end of the day, it’s a decision for the people.”

Said Councilman Andrew Pruski, a Gambrills Democrat, “Any piece of legislation or budgetary decision takes a while. ... This is a discussion we certainly have. Ultimately the voters on the ballot will make the decision as to whether this is the right thing or the wrong thing.”

Councilman John Grasso, a Glen Burnie Republican, is convinced putting the question on the ballot will ensure its passage. He said he likely won’t support the resolution.

“Most charter amendments will pass, so my feeling is that supporting this, you’re supporting your own personal interest,” he said. “If five people vote for that, what they’ve done is secured their next four years.”

McEvoy cited the anti-establishment sentiments being expressed by many voters.

“Across the nation today, you’re seeing an anger towards professional politicians,” he said.

McEvoy called the resolution “one of the most egregious proposals we’ve seen.”

“We think it’s going to be very hard for the council members who vote for this to go back to [their] district and explain,” he said.

In 1992, voters in Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George’s counties approved term limits for local legislators.

The margins in favor of limiting political tenures were “overwhelming” in Anne Arundel and Howard, according to an article from The Baltimore Sun’s archives, with 77 percent of Arundel voters and 78 percent of Howard voters supporting term limits.

The council is expected to discuss and vote on Smith’s resolution at its next meeting, on July 18.

Charter amendments must be passed before the third Monday in August, when ballot questions are certified. The council traditionally take a recess during the month of August. Pete Smith