Suffolk County lawmakers vote to tighten term-limits law

Suffolk legislators on Tuesday voted unanimously to limit the time most county elected officials can hold their posts to 12 years, to prevent them from seeking election again after a break in service.

The bill would put a voter referendum on the issue on the November ballot.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, a Democrat, backs the legislation, which was sponsored by Legis. Stephanie Bontempi (R-Huntington) and the Republican majority on the county Legislature.

“I support any effort or measure that will strengthen or expand term limits, as this bill does, because I believe they improve government and strengthen public trust,” Bellone said.

The effort to tighten the county's term-limits law stems from a dispute between Republicans and Democrats last year, when Democrat Kate Browning, then code enforcement director for Babylon Town, sought to run again in the legislature's 3rd District.

Browning represented the district until 2017, when she was term-limited after 12 years in office.

Two Republican district voters, backed by the county GOP, sued to get Browning off the ballot, saying she could not run because she already had reached the term limit.

Democrats argued that Browning could run again, saying the county law only bars legislators from serving more than 12 "consecutive" years.

A lower court ordered Browning's name off the ballot, but an appellate court reversed the decision, ruling the county law does not impose a lifetime term limit.

Browning was defeated last November by Republican James Mazzarella.

"This closes a loophole, and it was never intended for someone to do 12 years and take a break and run again. We think that when it goes on the ballot in November that the voters will agree," said Presiding Officer Legis. Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst).

The update to the Suffolk term-limits law applies to county legislators, the county executive and the comptroller. The offices of district attorney, county sheriff and county clerk are exempt.

Also Tuesday, the county Legislature held a public hearing on a Republican-sponsored resolution to repeal a new program that makes more than $2 million available to candidates running in local elections.

Last year, when Democrats controlled the Legislature, Suffolk established a public campaign finance board to oversee matching funds for candidates who agree to contribution and spending limits.

Proponents of the campaign finance program say it will boost candidates who lack the backing of big donors such as corporations, real estate developers and unions.

"We are very upset and angry that you are trying to take this away," Lisa Tyson, director of the Long Island Progressive Coalition, told lawmakers at the hearing.

"When it comes down to who can run for elected office, it is the people with wealth — the people who are connected," Tyson said.

But McCaffrey said, "We have heard many objections from taxpayers who didn't want their taxpayer dollars used to support candidates whose ideas they do not support."

Money to fund the program comes from Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. revenue.

Mercy Smith, executive director of the county's campaign finance program, said it encourages fairer elections by increasing the number of small donors.

Smith noted that legislative candidates seeking the matching funds must show at least 30 donations of no more than $250 each.

Legis. Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), a co-sponsor of the repeal bill, said he opposed the use of taxpayer money to fund political candidates.

But Smith argued the money isn't from property or sales tax revenue, but instead from revenue from OTB's Jake's 58 casino and hotel in Islandia.

"I would argue that it's coming from a revenue stream rather than the pockets of taxpayers," Smith said.

"Does that not also belong to the taxpayers of this county?" Thorne asked.

The full 18-member county Legislature is expected to vote on the campaign finance repeal on June 22.

By Candice Ferrette

candice.ferrette@newsday.comcandiceferrette

Candice Ferrette covers Nassau County government and politics on Long Island. She has been a reporter at Newsday since 2011.