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Term Limits and the Dismantling of State Legislative Professionalism
This study of the effects that term limit laws (restrictions on the number of years for which legislators can serve) have had on politics and policy in American states, combines interviews of capitol insiders with archival records and statistical analysis. The final conclusion--that term limits have had an adverse effect on the professional behavior of legislative members--bears relevance to the current debate over the wisdom of establishing term limits.
- GenresPolitics
275 pages, Paperback
First published November 22, 2004
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June 13, 2015
This is a useful analysis of the effects of term limits at the state legislative level. This book (and other research) does suggest that there are indeed effects of term limits.
Other research suggests that one effect is a tendency for governors, interest groups, and legislative staff to become stronger with respect to legislatures. That is, legislatures are less powerful in comparison with these other actors. Whether that is positive or negative is a matter open to discussion.
This book looks at extant evidence to develop its own conclusions. The movement to ward legislative professionalism included greater staff support (to enhance capacity within the legislature), higher salaries (to entice quality candidates to run for office), and so on. This movement had effects on the functioning of state legislatures. The author notes that term limits have a contrary effect on legislatures.
Table 8.1 on page 208 summarizes the findings of the book. Illustrative effects of term limits: leaders do not serve as long; governor's power with respect to legislatures increases; states are less likely to win awards for policies and programs. . . . Thus, there are effects. How much does this affect the dynamics of state politics? This book addresses that issue to some extent, but other works should also be consulted.
Professionalism versus term limits. . . . An ongoing issue in state level politics.
Other research suggests that one effect is a tendency for governors, interest groups, and legislative staff to become stronger with respect to legislatures. That is, legislatures are less powerful in comparison with these other actors. Whether that is positive or negative is a matter open to discussion.
This book looks at extant evidence to develop its own conclusions. The movement to ward legislative professionalism included greater staff support (to enhance capacity within the legislature), higher salaries (to entice quality candidates to run for office), and so on. This movement had effects on the functioning of state legislatures. The author notes that term limits have a contrary effect on legislatures.
Table 8.1 on page 208 summarizes the findings of the book. Illustrative effects of term limits: leaders do not serve as long; governor's power with respect to legislatures increases; states are less likely to win awards for policies and programs. . . . Thus, there are effects. How much does this affect the dynamics of state politics? This book addresses that issue to some extent, but other works should also be consulted.
Professionalism versus term limits. . . . An ongoing issue in state level politics.
Displaying 1 of 1 review