The issue of term limits is always a tricky one – if you don’t believe me just ask former Roswell mayor Jere Wood. Because it is difficult, if not impossible to get legislators to impose limits on themselves, the idea seems to remain one bandied about by motivated young candidates that disappears like dust in the wind once the campaign is over.
In Georgia though, a recent push by some very influential state Senators has gotten that conversation started once more.
Last year the state Senate passed SR 195, which requests that Congress call a convention under Article V of the Constitution for the purpose of installing an amendment limiting term limits for both the U.S. House and Senate. A Constitutional amendment is the only way to impose such a change, and is an exceedingly tall task to bring about. A convention of state legislatures can be called about by a vote from either 3/4 of congress or 3/4 of the nation’s state legislatures. Getting 75% of congress to agree on limiting their own power seems out of the question, so getting states on the same page for what is theoretically a bipartisan issue appears to be the clearer path.
SR 195 was sponsored by some heavy hitters in the Georgia Senate, including Majority Leader Bill Cowsert, finance committee chair Chuck Hufstetler, public safety committee chair John Albers, and leading candidate for Lt. Governor David Shafer. The bill passed by a thin margin (31-19) before becoming caught up in the House Rules Committee, where it will be readdressed during the 2018 session.
Already a handful of state Representatives have signed a Term Limits Convention pledge from the US Term Limits advocacy group, as has Republican candidate for Governor Hunter Hill
Polling says a majority of Americans favor the idea of term limits, but the political process to implement them will face stiff opposition from entrenched lawmakers with little desire to restrict their own power. This push seems more of a way to appeal to voters than to actually affect change, but it’s worth keeping an eye on as the session moves forward.
