Florida's term limits aren't working

[finehoe]

The behavior of the Florida House of Representatives during the regular session is a stunning example of the failure of term limits. In 2000, when term limits took effect, they removed almost half the members of the House and more than 25 percent of the Senate in just one election year. Instead of promoting electoral competition, incumbents have procured a new advantage and effectively own their seats until their eight years are up or they decide to vacate early.

Combined with gerrymandered districts so heavily in favor of one political party, legislators do not fear repercussions at the ballot box.

"Citizen" legislators are not pouring into the Capitol as proponents of term limits had hoped. Legislators are more politically ambitious in the post-term-limits era, with many entering office with previous elective experience, and continuing to run for both higher and local offices upon their exit. Political ambition and prospects for their political future are the most prevalent factors in policy decisions today. Short-term thinking abounds in Tallahassee.

The most devastating effect of term limits has been to severely weaken the legislative branch. Power is now solely concentrated in those few individuals at the apex of the leadership hierarchy in each chamber. Individual members possess very little power to effect change if the speaker of the House is adamantly opposed. Abbreviated tenures are responsible for a lack of institutional memory and procedural knowledge among legislators. Lobbyists, in particular, are filling that void. Ironically, the main goal of the term-limits movement was to weaken the influence of lobbyists and special interests. Now, they are more powerful than ever.

With term limits, the Senate tends to have an advantage because most members come from the House and bring legislative experience with them. That is what we saw play out when the House unconstitutionally adjourned during the regular legislative session. These kinds of actions will continue with term limits in place.

Term limits, promoted as a way to make legislators more responsive to constituent needs, have failed spectacularly in the Sunshine State.

Kathryn A. DePalo is a senior instructor at Florida International University in the Department of Politics and International Relations.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-ed-term-limits-myword-071115-20150710-story.html

[carpnter]

I hope that isn't being submitted as a reason to get rid of term limits but instead as a reason the gerrymandered districts need to be fixed.

[vicupstate]

Terms limits on the local level have been a disaster too. Term limits is a simpleton's solution to a complex problem. 

[Scarlettjax]

So glad to see I'm not the only person in the world who believes term limits are an abysmal failure.  We've gone from getting little done to virtually nothing, in some cases.

[For_F-L-O-R-I-D-A]

Term limits have had three very bad consequences:

1) No experienced legislators in the House

2) Increased power of lobbyists with institutional knowledge

3) Races for Speaker starting before a new class has even been elected.


I would not mind seeing term limits be extended to 12 years. Honestly though, they have been good in a lot of ways as well to keep fresh faces and ideas coming. For example, Corrine Brown is so entrenched in this town that no matter how good or bad a job she does, she wins. On both sides of the aisle, I have enjoyed seeing the new talent come in with a lot of energy and new ideas.

[vicupstate]

Term limits have had three very bad consequences:

1) No experienced legislators in the House

2) Increased power of lobbyists with institutional knowledge

3) Races for Speaker starting before a new class has even been elected.


I would not mind seeing term limits be extended to 12 years. Honestly though, they have been good in a lot of ways as well to keep fresh faces and ideas coming. For example, Corrine Brown is so entrenched in this town that no matter how good or bad a job she does, she wins. On both sides of the aisle, I have enjoyed seeing the new talent come in with a lot of energy and new ideas.

Have they been able to implement those new ideas? The article gives the impression that they are largely powerless.

[Charles Hunter]

I would rather concentrate on getting rid of gerrymandered districts than on term limits.  At least for now.  People need to elect their representatives, not politicians select their voters.  Congress does not have term limits, but districts are gerrymandered, and nothing is getting done in Congress.  Because of tailored districts, which reward the extremes of both (discussion for another day) parties, partisanship is more important than legislating.

[The_Choose_1]

I would rather concentrate on getting rid of gerrymandered districts than on term limits.  At least for now.  People need to elect their representatives, not politicians select their voters.  Congress does not have term limits, but districts are gerrymandered, and nothing is getting done in Congress.  Because of tailored districts, which reward the extremes of both (discussion for another day) parties, partisanship is more important than legislating.

Very True! How many years have the Republicans been trying to get rid of Corinne Brown and every time they change a district Corinne Brown still wins? Now when it comes to Term Limits "We the People" should be able to find a system that works.

[For_F-L-O-R-I-D-A]

Term limits have had three very bad consequences:

1) No experienced legislators in the House

2) Increased power of lobbyists with institutional knowledge

3) Races for Speaker starting before a new class has even been elected.


I would not mind seeing term limits be extended to 12 years. Honestly though, they have been good in a lot of ways as well to keep fresh faces and ideas coming. For example, Corrine Brown is so entrenched in this town that no matter how good or bad a job she does, she wins. On both sides of the aisle, I have enjoyed seeing the new talent come in with a lot of energy and new ideas.

Have they been able to implement those new ideas? The article gives the impression that they are largely powerless.

There are more laws passed in a FL Legislative session in 2 months than the Feds pass in a year. There are ideas and new laws (good and bad) every year. I like it though.

[mbwright]

As long as race and party affiliation play a role in determining the districts, there are going to be issues.  I think several proposals on this forum had the districts done by region/county/city, that would fit the generally compact districts, but this would make logical sense, and thus would not be allowed.

I do agree that there are too many career politicians, that are there only to milk the system and get rich.  Term limits would certainly help.  I think 2 would enough.