TERM LIMITATIONS FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS: A CITIZENS’ GUIDE TO CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE I I N*nUnLw/ Is Term Limits an

issue in your community?

erm limits have spmad like prairie fire across the United States, having gained approval in 32 percent of American cities with populations over 250,000between 1989 and 1992, as well as numerous smaller cities and towns. In many of these communities, the T national enthusiasm for term limits and a general anti-government mood have created

a momentum for the local term limits effort that made balanced public debate on the topic impossible. In interviews with local officials, community activists, political reporters, and municipal employees, NCL staff have found an almost universal complaint that these initia- tives reached the ballot and passed without sufficient voter consideration or debate.

pamphlet designed to help communities considering term limits - either in initiative or legislative form - foster thoughtful, reasoned discourse on both term limits and their potential ramifications for community governance.

Term Limits For Local Officials: A Citizens’ Guide to Constructive Dialogue, is a 24-page

A Pamphlet Intended for Broad Application

Government Foundation, this handbook is aimed at providing community activists, jour- nalists, public officials, municipal employees - and most of all, voters - with the informa- tion necessary to foster an informed, reasonable debate on term limits. It includes case studies of cities where limits have been considered and/or adopted, sample arguments for and against term limits as an issue in representative government, and a general structure for starting a community discussion series to help inform the public, the media and the govern- ment. Information is presented in a format designed to be compatible with different kinds of organizations, educational settings, and political viewpoints.

Produced under the sponsorship of the Agnes and Murray Seasongood Good

Single copies of Term Limits for Local Officials: A Citizen’s Guide to Constructive Dialogue are available for $4.00 (prepaid) from the National Civic League, 1445 Market Sheet, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80202-1728.

4Ct2 FALLWINTER 1992 NATIONAL avIc REVIEW