Hochul says she will propose term limits for NY elected officials

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced on Monday that she will propose term limits for elected officials in the Empire State, including governors.

Hochul said the push to institute term limits for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and comptroller will be the first proposal in her 2022 State of the State, which she is slated to deliver on Wednesday.

It is the first such address Hochul will give as governor of New York.

“On day one as Governor, I pledged to restore trust in government and I have taken steps every day to deliver the open, ethical governing New Yorkers deserve,” Hochul said in a statement.

“I want people to believe in their government again. With these bold reforms, we will ensure New Yorkers know their leaders work for them and are focused on serving the people of this state,” she added.

Hochul’s office said she will introduce a constitutional amendment that calls for a limit on two consecutive terms for statewide elected officials. Such an initiative, however, will require approval from the state Legislature and voters before taking effect, according to The New York Times.

New York is one of roughly a dozen states that do not have term limits for officials, the Times noted. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) was serving his third consecutive term when he resigned from office in August after being accused of sexual harassment.

The governor is also planning to propose legislation that will call for banning earned outside income for statewide elected officials. Academic positions would be an exception to the regulation, but they will have to be approved by an ethics board.