Espousing the notion that elected office should not be a lifetime occupation, state Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, has filed a bill for the 2013 legislative session calling for term limits for state officials.
Larson argues that no one should serve in an elected office longer than 12 years, which would ensure a periodic infusion of "fresh blood" and "fresh perspectives" into the governmental process. His proposed constitutional amendment would not prevent an individual from serving in different positions 12 years each and would not count any state service before 2015.Every few years, some individual or organization gets the idea that the best way to make politicians accountable -- keeping them more independent and less reliant on special-interest influence and money -- is by constitutionally limiting their days in office.It is true that the current system favors incumbents by giving them greater name recognition and media access.They also have franking privileges, which allow them to send mailings that keep them in contact with constituents.But this Editorial Board has long argued that voters have the power to limit any politician's tenure in office every two, four or six years when he or she runs for re-election.The electorate must take responsibility for studying the issues and getting to know the candidates' positions to decide who would best represent them in office.If officials fail to live up to their campaign promises or somehow fall short in their duties, citizens have the right to vote them out of office, thus limiting their term.Even if the Legislature and governor enacted a term-limit law, voters would have to approve it next November to amend the Texas Constitution.The state constitution is already one of the longest in the country, having been amended more than 470 times.Although other amendments almost certainly will be added, no compelling argument has yet been mounted for a term-limit amendment.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
