From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

MDN.ORG Mo. Digital News Missouri Digital News MDN.ORG: Mo. Digital News MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
Help  

Lawmakers Consider Asking Voters to Repeal Term Limits

April 14, 2004
By: Missy Shelton
State Capital Bureau

When this year's legislation session comes to the end, twn senators will be unable to seek re-election because of term limits.

As Missy Shelton reports, one of those senators has a proposal that eliminates term limits.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

Columbia democrat Ken Jacob's term is up.

He can't run again for the senate...He is running for Lieutenant Governor.

But before Jacob leaves the senate he says he'd like to put an end to term limits.

Missouri voters approved term limits, blocking representatives and senators from serving more than eight years in each chamber.

Jacob says term limits have filled the capitol with inexperienced lawmakers who don't have a history of working together.

Actuality:CEJ20~2~-1
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents:

But other lawmakers disagree...Springfield Republcian Representative Jim Viebrock says term limits aren't all bad.

He says it's a good way to ensure the best people are in office.

Actuality:Vie1
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents:

But those who oppose term limits say eight years simply isn't enough time to learn how to be an effective legislator.

Republican Senator Anita Yeckel of St Louis County says there's a tremendous learning curve.

Actuality:CEJ203
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents:

Even supporters of term limits like Jim Viebrock acknowledge that term limits will end the careers of some good lawmakers.

Actuality:Vie3
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents:

The proposal from Ken Jacob that would eliminate term limits would ultimately go before voters.

He says there's no harm in asking voters to re-visit the issue.

Actuality:CEJ201-2
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents:

Even though Jacob's proposal lets voters have the final say, Viebrock says it would be difficult for *lawmakers* to vote for such a proposal.

Though he says he'd probably support extending term limits from eight years to twelve years, he thinks these proposals have to be handled carefully or else they appear self-serving.

Actuality:Vie2
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents:

The proposal that would end term limits is up for consideration in a senate committee.

SOC