Jacobs sponsors measure to change term limits

From the office of Sen. Gilda Jacobs
Thursday, April 29, 2010

LANSING - State Senator Gilda Z. Jacobs (D-Huntington Woods) today introduced a Senate Joint Resolution to allow voters to modify term limits for state senators and state representatives.

“The November election will see most state senators leaving because they will have completed their eight years allowed under term limits. And 34 state representatives will also leave. Our current term limit restrictions have had a profound impact on how law and policy is forged in Michigan, and not necessarily for the better,” Senator Jacobs said.

“My colleagues and I have a chance to fix this before we leave by allowing voters another opportunity to modify term limits. I hope my colleagues will join me to put this resolution on the 2010 ballot.”

Senator Jacobs’ joint resolution would put before the voters a constitutional amendment to extend term limit to 12 years for both chambers. State Senate terms would change from two to three four-year terms, and State House of Representatives term would change from three two-year terms to six two-year terms.

Before the question could come before the voters, Senate Joint Resolution G must first pass both the House and Senate by a two-thirds vote of all members elected and serving.

Term limits for state legislators were adopted by a state constitutional amendment approved by the voters in November 1992. Originally, term limits were promoted as a check and balance measure by the people to ensure that legislators stay in touch with their constituencies, bring in fresh ideas, and break through the power concentrations of only a handful of long-standing senior members of each chamber.

Senator Jacobs feels that Michigan’s strict term limits have undermined these original goals, and contributed to the partisan deadlock that has plagued both chambers in recent years. They also have strengthened the influence of lobbyists.

“I am sponsoring this resolution because I believe that this extra time would allow legislators to gain experience and form the strong personal relationships that would help them govern better,” said Senator Jacobs.

“No matter what happens with my joint resolution, I will be gone after December of this year. But I feel it is my duty to leave the state in better shape. We can accomplish this if my colleagues will join me in doing what is best for Michigan and let the voters decide how to fix our flawed system of its unintended consequences.”

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Senator Gilda Jacobs represents the 14th Senate District, which includes Farmington, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Lathrup Village, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak Township, Southfield and Southfield Township.

She is the Minority Vice Chair of the Senate Committees on Finance, Campaign & Election Oversight, and Families & Human Services, and is also a member of the Economic Development & Regulatory Reform and Health Policy committees.