On a side note regarding Commissioners Court

Just a quick point to note regarding Commissioners Court and its various perks. In a few months, we’re going to hear from Mayor White’s term limits commission regarding suggested alterations to Houston’s term limits law. When we do, we’ll be sure to hear wails and cries from the usual suspects about how civilization as we know it would end if we allowed City Council members to serve more than six years. What I’d like to know is why these same self-appointed guardians of our democracy haven’t been agitating for similar limits on County Commissioners? One Commissioner has more power and budgetary authority than all 14 Council members put together, none of them are ever seriously challenged for re-election – most of them go unopposed most of the time – and yet the Clymer Wrights of the world never seem to raise a peep about it. I don’t know why that is, but I hope you’ll keep it in mind when the inevitable fuss gets kicked up. I realize that imposing term limits on County Commissioners – which I’d oppose just as I oppose them for municipal officeholders; if you really want to promote democracy and competitive elections, meaningful campaign finance reform is the way to go – is a much harder thing to do, as it would require legislative intervention, but so what? If the principle is so damn important at the city level, I fail to see why it isn’t worth the effort at the county level. Of course, if it was all just a cynical ploy, then it all makes sense. Anyway, like I said, just something to keep in mind.

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