Should New York City leaders be limited to two terms in office? Should the fine for violating conflict-of-interest laws increase? Should the city reduce the number of signatures required to get on a ballot?

New Yorkers will have the opportunity to decide those questions in November, a commission responsible for recommending changes to the city’s charter voted on Monday night.

But a last-minute effort to deny current incumbents a chance to run for a third term failed at the meeting.

The 15-member group, appointed by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, made final a series of proposals on issues including land use and campaign spending.

The most contentious topic was term limits, which spurred a vitriolic debate two years ago as Mr. Bloomberg led a successful effort to rewrite city law that allowed him to seek a third term.

On Monday, some of that anger returned, as the commission debated a proposal to impose a two-term limit.

Politicians and civic advocates denounced a decision by the commission earlier this month to protect incumbents from any changes to the term-limits law.

Under the proposal, sitting city officials would be given a chance at a third term even if voters approved a two-term limit. In addition, City Council members would be barred from making changes to term-limits laws that would affect them.

(Source: NY Times)