An effort is underway to expand political term limits in Missouri. An organization known as Term Limits for Missouri has filed paperwork with the Secretary of State’s Office to place term limits on all statewide offices – limiting those holding the offices to eight years or two terms.
Currently, the Governor and State Treasurer’s offices are subject to term limits, but those holding the offices of Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Auditor can hold those positions as long as they would like to, provided they keep getting reelected. Members of the General Assembly are, of course, term limited. A lawmaker may only serve eight years in the Senate and eight in the House.
Term Limits for Missouri is headed by Ed Martin, Governor Matt Blunt’s former Chief of Staff. Says Martin in a press release: "Missourians recognize that too much time in office leads to complacency and, too often, to corruption. Term limits guarantee that new citizens will serve in every elected position of state government at least every eight years. It’s better for democracy to have citizen elected officials not bureaucrats who stay in office for decades."
The group is asking that the Legislature put this measure on the ballot. Barring that, group members will gather signatures to put the issue on the ballot in 2010.
