County GOP Chairman: Council "Out of Touch" on Term Limits

The chairman of the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee Tuesday criticized the Baltimore County Council for its apparent lack of support for a term limits bill that will be introduced tonight.

Steve Kolbe, in an interview Tuesday morning, said the by Councilman David Marks would correct "lopsided redistricting process."

"We know we have a lopsided redistricting process where Republican districts are getting more Republican and Democratic districts are getting more Democrat," said Kolbe. "The districts are becoming less competitive."

The council recently passed legislation creating seven new council districts that go into effect for the 2014 elections. The plan was drawn up by a commission whose members were appointed by the council itself.

"Voters are good, smart people," said Kolbe. "I think they make the right choices if you let them. The redistricting process subjugates them."

Kolbe said he was speaking for himself and not on behalf of the central committee, which has not yet taken a vote on the issue. He said a vote is expected next month.

Marks' bill, which appears to have little support among members of the County Council, would limit council members to three terms beginning in 2014. The County Charter already limits the county executive to two terms.

Marks said he was introducing the bill in keeping with a promise he made when he ran for office in 2010. He also said he plans on sticking to a three-term limit regardless of if his bill becomes law.

Five members of the council would need to vote in for the proposal. The bill would then have to be approved by a majority of county voters in order to change the County Charter.

"Overall, the real story here is we have an opportunity for the people of Baltimore County to decide if they would like to see their elected officials term-limited or not," said Kolbe.