An effort in Arlington aims to establish term limits for public officials, but Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams says he doesn't think it would be good for business.
A group of residents last week submitted signatures on a petition to limit Arlington City Council members and the mayor to three two-year terms. The most anyone could serve would be 12 years as both a council member and mayor, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
If enough signatures are verified, the issue would be on the November ballot. The petition requires 5 percent of registered voters in Arlington, which is 8,612, according to the Star-Telegram. Term limit supporters say they collected over 11,400 signatures.
Mayor Williams told WFAA's “Inside Texas Politics” not having term limits makes the city appealing.
"One of the first questions you get asked when businesses are wanting to move into a city — they ask, ‘Do you have term limits?’”
Zack Maxwell, publisher of the Arlington Voice and the person behind the petition, says limiting terms will help get rid of career politicians. Maxwell says Arlington should be like 12 other North Texas cities that have term limits.
But Mayor Williams thinks the petition would slow down the city's growth. He says businesses don't want a political revolving door.
"That signifies stability,” Williams said. “And that stability of the city government in Arlington has been tremendous. Great things are happening because of that great stability."
The Tarrant County election committee is verifying the signatures on the petition before it's put on the ballot.
