Instead of improving the legislative process in Lansing, Michigan's experiment with term limits has only served to gum up the works, the Detroit News says in an editorial today.
"The long delays involved in passing state budgets on time -- a basic constitutional mandate - is ample evidence of what comes from today's lawmakers' lack of institutional knowledge," the editorial says. "When they are challenged by billion-dollar state revenue shortfalls, revolving-door leadership is a poor substitute for the experience of longtime veterans who used to preside over the process."
The editorial notes that those who advocate for term limits say they constantly bring in "fresh, principled folks from the private sector."
But term limits also forced relatively inexperienced legislators into difficult leadership roles, the editorial says. " By the time they become experts on anything, they're out the door."
The editorial calls for a repeal of term limits and for a 90-day limit on legislative sessions.
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