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Lawmakers Seek to Expand Term Limits From 8 to 12 Years

WUSF | By Associated Press,
Associated Press
Published November 20, 2015 at 9:31 AM EST

A Democratic House member and a Republican Senator want voters to expand term limits for state lawmakers from eight to 12 years.

House Democratic Leader Mark Pafford and Sen. Rene Garcia announced Thursday that they'll ask the Legislature to place a measure on the 2016 ballot asking voters to loosen the current term limits.

They said the measure wouldn't allow any current lawmakers to stay in officer longer, but rather is aimed at future senators and representatives.

They argued that lawmakers have to leave office just as they finally learn the intricacies of the Legislature and the budgeting process to the point they can better help constituents.

As it stands now, they said power has shifted to lobbyists and legislative staff that have worked the process much longer than the actual lawmakers.

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