Amending term limits

In the experiment of term limits for legislators, Maine has learned, first, that limiting how long a lawmaker can stay in office results in more people bringing more ideas to the State House and, second, that the eight-year limit is too strict, especially for legislators to become fully effective in leadership positions. Lawmakers seem determined to extend the limits this year, and should feel confidant passing the extension themselves without going through a referendum.

The Legislature appears in support of increasing the limit to six terms, or 12 years, a large but not unreasonable increase. The succession of Senate presidents and House speakers since the effects of term limits were felt and the broader lack of continuity or incentive for long-range planning in those positions and on committees in general have hurt the legislative process and legislation itself. Studies called for by leaders in one Legislature are ignored by those in the next; programs that needed guidance over several years are barely remembered by the following January; members of leadership have about a week before they begin thinking about their legacies.

None of this makes for good lawmaking, but Senate President Pro Tem Rick Bennett, who has become the leading opponent to changing the eight-year limit, has a couple of observations that legislators ought to consider. He points out, for instance, “People are trying to put all the ills of the world on term limits, but they are not to blame.” That is, lawmakers thought in the short term or rushed legislation and leaders lacked experience before term limits and will do so if the extension is passed. Certainly, this is an issue of degree and of balancing experience against the need to welcome new ideas.

Sen. Bennett also suggests that lawmakers voting on the issue exempt themselves from the extended limits. An exception to this might be made for leadership, which would take years to catch up, but it is an idea worth debating. It would allow lawmakers to vote on the issue rather than on their own careers.

Gov. King says he is willing to support a term-limits change but wants the question to go before voters because that was how the original law was passed. But this suggests there is something wrong or inadequate about representative democracy. Public hearings, public comment times and public work sessions provide plenty of opportunity for public input. Maine has had citizen-initiated referendums on dozens of issues, including collective bargaining, phone service, moose hunting and income taxes. No one calls for a new referendum when new laws on these issues are proposed, why would term limits be different?

It isn’t, and lawmakers are correct to make improvements to a law that has clear inadequacies. Voters, of course, will feel free to change it back if 12 years turn out to be worse than eight.