It's time to get rid of legislative term limits
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.
Comments
Thick Candy Shell
Tue, Nov 17, 2009 : 7:32 p.m.
I believe term limits do work and exactly for the reasons given by some why they don't work. I think when the lawmakers can't get things done it is one less thing to worry about!
Otto Mobeal
Sat, Nov 14, 2009 : 8:58 p.m.
It is time to end term limits in Michigan. It has created legislative gridlock in the state legislature where even the simplest bill cannot get passed. If you look at the history of term limits in Michigan, I think you find that the state government started to unravel within 2 or 3 elections of the passing of term limits. Why? I am glad you asked. First, the skills required for moving legislation along were simply lost. Legislation is NOT advanced in a vacuum, it is guided through the process by people who understand the process and have connections. With term limits these skills were lost along with the interconnectedness that was required for complicated issues. Second, dogmatic opinions have increased while compromise has been lost. Complicated bills need to have parties that are willing to compromise on things. Without compromising, gridlock stops everything. Then, the only way to move things is one party rule - who wants that? Also, compromise means that this time I bend next time you bend, but we both win. Previously, legislators might serve for 10, 20 or 30 years, those time frames means that you need to work/compromise with the other guys if you want to get anything done. The short time frames of term limits you cannot/don't need to trade favors - in another term they will be gone. Third, trust is gone. When you need to work with others of different parties you need to trust each other. Term limits have destroyed that trust and polarized the parties around strict dogma and short term thinking. Who has this helped? No one.
st.julian
Thu, Nov 12, 2009 : 4:24 p.m.
True. But it's also time to impose limits on lobbyist for "for profit" enterprises. They are only in their interest not the public at large.
David Briegel
Thu, Nov 12, 2009 : 3:30 p.m.
Welfare State? We only have a welfare state for billionaires and bankers who are too big to fail. Can we cut their taxes some more in exchange for their "contributions to better govt"?
treetowncartel
Thu, Nov 12, 2009 : 11:59 a.m.
Is it health care reform, or insurance reform? Medical professionals practice to a standard of care, that can't be legislated.
goblue32
Thu, Nov 12, 2009 : 11:36 a.m.
I am all for term limits, but I would allow at least three terms. David - Why don't we ask President Obama to post pictures and monetary amounts of ALL members of congress who take money from insurance companies? The amount of 'yes' votes on healthcare reform would be staggering as well. And show me where any member of congress is a 'saint'.
David Briegel
Thu, Nov 12, 2009 : 10:59 a.m.
They get elected because voters vote for them. The problem is their access to the bribery money from large organizations whom they repay in kind. You haven't even mentioned the largest contibutor, The Chamber of Commerce and it's member corporations! And all those Republicans with seniority are saints?! It was their "bridge to nowhere" afterall. And where do you get off with bribery money equals "free speech"? I agree with immediate posting of contributions. If I were Obama I would post a photo of everyone who voted against healthcare reform with the dollar amount contributed by insurance companies!
treetowncartel
Thu, Nov 12, 2009 : 9:27 a.m.
Top Cat, that comment does have some merit, the real problem is that the a lot of people this country don't appreciate the suffrage and are very apthetic when it comes to voting. I mean, if we could get everyone colloquial discussions about politics would be moot.
treetowncartel
Thu, Nov 12, 2009 : 9:05 a.m.
The best term limits are voting, we need to do away with legislatitve term limits.
David Briegel
Wed, Nov 11, 2009 : 11:44 p.m.
And just today another Republican yahoo introduced a bill calling for term limits in Congress. Such foolishness is counterproductive. The problem is the pervasive and corrupting influence of cash in the electoral process. Our govt officials are for rent and they don't even hide it anymore. Term limits do nothing to stop the bribery of elected officials. Nothing.