Four year terms for the State Senate
The Henry Herald has endorsed a constitutional amendment introduced by Senator John Douglas to create four year terms for state legislators:
Douglas’ resolution -- which applies only to the Senate -- would not just extend the terms of the state’s 56 senators, it would also stagger those terms. That is an important feature, because it would prevent a complete turnover every four years, and help maintain continuity and institutional memory.What's your take on this?Under the resolution, state senators in even-numbered districts would be elected to four-year terms beginning in 2010; those in odd-numbered districts, beginning in 2012.
“The Senate districts are getting so large now that holding elections for everyone every two years is not real practical,” Douglas has been quoted as saying. “It forces us to campaign and raise money the entire time we’re in office, except when we’re in session, rather than concentrating on our constituents and the issues that need our attention.”
He is right. Two-year terms require almost constant fundraising and campaigning, which leaves little time to study legislation and the potential effects of proposed bills and rule changes. That puts lawmakers too much at the mercy of lobbyists and others, who push, or seek to block, certain measures because of their own interests.
Comments
I support Sen. Douglas on this proposal. Stability and consistency is needed, and 4 year terms will help.
At the same time, Josh, we have term limits in place. It is called "elections."
Posted by: Larry Stanley | February 22, 2007 04:55 AM
I am for the change. More pondering and less knee jerk toward special interests.
Posted by: Robbie Robinson | February 22, 2007 05:38 AM
I say no. To me, 2 year terms serve as a bit of a control on politicians. W/ 4 year terms, I can see some of these so-called social engineers and wannabe visionaries trying to implement agendas that they normally wouldn't. But that's just me.
As long as they pass Sunday sales w/ liquor and keep their hands off of the truck seatbelt loophole, they'll be doin' fine by me.
Posted by: Marshall | February 22, 2007 09:27 AM
I'd really like to see some term limits myself. However, I'm losing faith in elections because I find more & more that voters are really stupid & short-sighted.
As it stands, I'd rather keep it at two years. I don't care if it's inconvenient to any Senator to have to run every two years. Once they get four years, what's next? Six years for the Senate just because that's how the federal gov't does it?
Posted by: Danny | February 22, 2007 11:40 AM
When you have someone like Senator Douglas in office - you would like to see his term last longer - what about those that dont really have any business being in there in the first place then 2 years is too long- its good for it to be longer when the person in there is doing whats best for all of us
Posted by: Dee | February 23, 2007 02:29 PM