Efforts to Lengthen MI Term Limits Seem Stalled
Save Email Print
Bookmark and Share
Posted: 4:42 PM Mar 13, 2010
Efforts to Lengthen MI Term Limits Seem Stalled
House members can stay only six years; senators eight.
Reporter: Associated Press
width:180 and height: 120 and picwidth: 180 and pciheight: 120
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, right, talks with state Reps. Tim Melton, D-Pontiac, from left, Jeff Mayes, D-Bay City, Steve Tobocman, D-Detroit, and Morris Hood III, D-Detroit, during a House session early Friday, Sept. 28, 2007, at the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich. State lawmakers are trying to avoid a possible partial government shutdown when the new budget year starts Oct. 1. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Font Size:

LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan will head into 2011 with at least 29 new senators and 34 new House members, all replacing lawmakers leaving under term limits.

To supporters, this is exactly how term limits should work. Allowing House members to stay only six years and senators eight avoids creating an institution staffed with career politicians.

Many people who have to deal regularly with the Legislature, however, say Michigan's term limits aren't working. They'd like to change the state constitution, though there isn't much voter support for doing so.

A recent Wayne State University study said that under term limits, Michigan lawmakers say they spend less time monitoring state agencies and are more likely to turn to lobbyists as an information source.
More Stories
Current Weather Conditions
WILX Most Discussed