Term limits impact is minimal

Twenty years later, voter-approved term limits has had a minimal impact on the Legislature except to substantially increase the turnover in the House and Senate, according to a report commissioned by the Michigan Society of Association Executives

The state legislative system “is not broke, but we’re really wondering if it’s running as it should and could,” Cheryl Ronk, CEO of the association, told Crain’s Detroit Business.

Legislators’ image “appears to remain tarnished,” according to the report, and less experienced legislators may have increased the influence of lobbyists and legislative staffers, who have more knowledge and greater institutional memory about issues.

The report makes no recommendations, according to Crain’s, though it mentions possible revisions similar to those proposed in 2011 by Rep. Sharon Tyler, R-Niles, which would maintain the 14-year overall cap on service in the Legislature but would allow lawmakers to spend all that time in one chamber. Currently, lawmakers are limited to six years in the House (three terms) and eight years in the Senate (two terms).

Any change to the 1992 term limits law would require a ballot proposal calling for a constitutional amendment.