Measure to extend term limits advanced

Senators advanced a proposed constitutional change from general file Feb. 23 that would be placed on the November 2012 general election ballot to extend term limits for state senators.

LR358CA, introduced by Holdrege Sen. Tom Carlson, would allow voters to extend the state constitution’s current limit of two consecutive four-year terms for state senators to three consecutive four-year terms.

Since term limits were enacted in 2000, Carlson said, there has been a large turnover of state senators. Term limits cause the loss of experience and expertise, he said, which allows lobbyists and the executive branch to have more influence on legislators.

“I found out very quickly that there is a very steep learning curve for serving in the Legislature,” he said. “So the critical question is whether two or three terms would serve the state better.”

Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop spoke in support of the measure, saying term limits have limited senators’ understanding of issues and stifled debate.

“We passed an entire [state] budget in less time than it took us to debate a bill on roadside trapping,” he said. “I think it would improve floor debate, we would end up with better laws and the process would be improved with three terms.”

Omaha Sen. Brenda Council introduced an amendment that would repeal term limits altogether. In six other states, she said, term limits have been repealed by the legislature or by court action.

“We can have term limits at any time—all people have to do is vote out the incumbent if they believe that to be in their best interest,” Council said. “What we have done with term limits is dictated who a voter’s choice for a representative can or should be.”

Carlson spoke in opposition to the amendment, saying 78 percent of voters nationwide supported some form of term limits. In the 2000 election, Carlson said, voters had only two choices: no term limits for senators or two four-year terms.

“I think it is time to give voters another choice [for term limits] that they did not have in 2000,” he said.

Grand Island Sen. Mike Gloor also spoke in opposition to the amendment, saying that senators who serve too long can form entrenched relationships and lose touch with their districts.

“It takes a while not to just learn [legislative procedures], but to unlearn ways of the past,” Gloor said. “I think having a time limit does make sense and 12 years is a period of time I am very comfortable with.”

Council’s amendment failed on a 3-42 vote.

Two technical amendments were introduced by Council—one failed on a 5-13 vote and one was later withdrawn.

Another amendment, introduced by Council, would allow members to serve three additional consecutive terms if they represent a new district. As a result of redistricting, Council said, some senators are no longer residing in the district in which they were elected.

“My concern is about the effect this has on the electorate being able to select the representative of their choice,” she said.

The amendment failed 3-24 and LR358CA advanced from general file on a 30-12 vote.