In 1993, Mainers passed term limits. Since 1996, legislators have been trying to eliminate or extend term limits. We believe this is a direct conflict of interest and self-serving.

About 80 percent of legislators use Maine Clean Election funds to run for office. New legislators credit term limits as the only way they got elected. In time, these same legislators start undermining term limits.

We have a lot of good legislators, but some lose sight of why they were elected – to serve the people. Some legislators are banking on extending term limits because this is an off-year election cycle. Legislators already submitted a bill last session for extension from two-year terms to four-year terms and we contend they won’t come back to the people for the next extension.

Legislators claim the executive branch has too much power over the Legislature. The legislative branch is our only voice in government. Term limits work as they keep legislators grounded to the people they promise to represent. It brings in new people with fresh ideas, good solutions and positive perspectives. Please vote no on Question 5, to preserve our citizens’ initiatives.

Michele and Joseph Greenier

Stockton Springs