Polito looks to impose term limits
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Shrewsbury Chronicle: State Rep. Karyn Polito, R-Shrewsbury, filed a constitutional amendment Friday that would place 12-year term limits on Massachusetts state legislators. “If we really want to change the culture on Beacon Hill, end entrenched bad practices and level the balance of power, we need a system that encourages fresh ideas and fresh perspectives,” said Polito. “Allowing the same people to remain in power for decades is not healthy for our democracy and our state.” Polito’s proposal comes as the Legislature continues to lag on passing ethics reforms, and as the third House speaker in a row is facing criminal charges for illegal behavior committed while in office. Under Polito’s amendment, state legislators would only be allowed to serve in the House or Senate for a total of 12 years, or six legislative terms, in their lifetimes.
If the amendment is approved by a majority of two consecutive sessions of the Legislature, the proposal could be referred to the voters for their approval at the statewide election in 2012. The new law would apply to candidates elected or members re-elected after the constitutional amendment is approved by voters. Among currently serving Massachusetts legislators, about 40 percent have served 12 years or more in the General Court. “This is a longer-term effort to phase out unlimited terms and phase in limited service, which will help to balance power among the membership and move more toward a citizen legislature, while allowing enough time for institutional knowledge and experience to grow,” Polito said. Fifteen other states currently impose term limits on legislators, including Maine, Ohio, California, Florida and Louisiana. Polito’s proposal most closely mirrors the law in Oklahoma, where legislators are limited to serving a maximum of 12 years in the House and Senate during their lifetimes.
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