Changes proposed by Sen. Steve Gallardo, D-Phoenix, would amend the state Constitution to clarify language that has led Gov. Jan Brewer to toy with the idea of legally challenging Arizona’s term-limit laws.
In a move that would effectively end any ambitions by future governors to entertain running for a third term, he has introduced a bill aimed at clarifying ambiguity over what constitutes two consecutive terms for executive officers.
Gallardo’s Senate Concurrent Resolution 1007, introduced Thursday, would bypass Brewer’s desk and go to the November 2014 ballot.
Brewer, who completed the final year of former Gov. Janet Napolitano’s term and then successfully ran for a four-year term in 2010, has suggested she may want to keep her job as governor after her current term expires in January 2015.
It is unclear how much support the legislation would have because it is so early in the session. But symbolically, the bill could prompt a heated debate at the state Capitol as potential gubernatorial candidates line up to run for the office.
Even if the legislation were approved by the House and Senate, voters wouldn’t be able to weigh in until November 2014 so it wouldn’t apply to Brewer if she did find a way to get on the ballot.
