Lawmakers want longer terms

NJBiz is reporting that State Sen. Nicholas P. Scutari (D-Union), Chairman of the Senate Government committee, is proposing a law that would give senators five-year terms, up from the present four years — except the first term in each decade, which is two years. And it would give Assembly members alternating three-year and two-year terms, instead of the present two-year terms.

The measure would require a constitutional amendment to be approved by the voters in November.

Scutari argues that longer terms would give legislators more time to handle complex issues, reduce the influence of campaign contributors and save tax payers the cost of elections.

Last I checked, the NJ Legislature had lower approval ratings than George W. Bush. Can you imagine the reception Bush would have gotten if he proposed over turning the 22nd amendment or extending Presidential terms to 6 years?

I have a better idea. Let's have a constitutional amendment to create term limits. 3 terms per office. That would create a sense of urgency for lawmakers to understand the complex issues and less incentive for them to make simple issues complex. It would reduce the influence of campaign contributors because the lawmakers will have less time to build their fiefdoms. Money spent on elections is the best money a democracy can spend. By the time lawmakers figure out how to really game the system, their terms will be up. That would create much more in savings in the long run.