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House Research Department November 1993 <br /> Term Limits for Elective Office Page 9 <br /> Arguments For and Against Term Limits <br /> Legislators considering the issue of term limits may find it useful to review commonly made <br /> "pro" and "con" arguments.' <br /> • <br /> Term limits promote democracy by ensuring Voters already can vote out elected officials <br /> more competitive elections because they no longer want. Term limits deny . <br /> incumbents cannot run as often. voters access to popular incumbents. <br /> Since the president and many governors Even if executive term limits are a good . . <br /> have term limits, legislators should have idea, applying them to the legislature will <br /> them too. give the president or governor too much <br /> • power. <br /> • Name recognition and other incumbent ... Public finking and equal spending <br /> advantages make elections unfair. A requirements for candidates would ensure <br /> guaranteed open seat ensures competition, fairer elections. <br /> Term limits will curb the power of carper Seasoned lobbyists and staff may dictate • <br /> lobbyists over individual members. • policy to legislators. <br /> The "citizen legislature" created by term Government is too complex to be mastered <br /> limits means members will not be corrupted by a legislator with only a short time to <br /> by power. serve, <br /> Term limits will, bring new talent. Term limits will eliminate experienced, <br /> knowledgeable members. <br /> • Less focus on being re-elected means Citizens who benefit from an ombudsman as <br /> members can stop concentrating on the capitol will lose some of that service. <br /> constituent issues and do more policy work. <br /> Limiting tenure will keep seniority from Inexperienced members may obtain <br /> monopolizing legislative leadership. leadership positions before they are ready. <br /> Term limits will promote amateur citizen Instead of professional politicians, term <br /> legislators rather than professional limits may bring out representatives of <br /> politicians. special economic interests who are willing <br /> to serve a short time to further their <br /> industry's needs. <br /> • <br /> 'The first six pairs of items on this flat are cowed in the State Capitol Report, "Voters, Polidcians, and <br /> Term Limits: The War of Representative Government" January 1992, by Robert T.Geolas. The remaining <br /> items are sumntaxized from a number of articles on term limits. <br /> Gia S3I .LI3 NN 40 3flJV3nt * rAIdT7S : 1 O i76 •61 °LO <br />