(Des Moines, IA) State Representative Greg Heartsill (R – Columbia) has introduced a resolution, HJR 2002, to amend the Constitution of the State of Iowa to limit the number of terms served in the state legislature and governor’s office.
“Public service is a trust that needs to be restored,” Heartsill said in a statement. “By imposing term limits on elected officials, I believe it is a necessary step for the citizens of Iowa to regain confidence in the political system.”
HJR 2002 would limit the number of terms in the Iowa House of Representatives to six terms (12 years); in the Iowa Senate to three terms (12 years); and in the Governor and Lieutenant Governor’s office to three terms (12 years).
Heartsill’s bill has bi-partisan support as State Representative Joe Riding (D-Altoona) has signed on as a co-sponsor. “Our forefathers believed in a citizen legislature. You served and went home back to work. No one thought about spending 20 or 30 years in government,” Riding told Caffeinated Thoughts.
“Unfortunately we have allowed our political system to be overrun with money. If we can’t rain in the influx of money which helps individuals remain in office for decades, we can at least limit the number of years a person can serve. Doing so takes us back to the original concept of our forefathers, a citizen legislature,” Riding added.
Also co-sponsoring the bill along with Riding are State Representatives Brian Moore (R-Bellevue), Jason Schultz (R-Schleswig), Tom Shaw (R-Laurens), and Rob Taylor (R-West Des Moines).
Reader poll: Do you support term limits?
Shane Vander Hart
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Unfortunately, I must disagree with my friends Greg and Tom on this issue. Term Limits are at their core, laws which restrict the right of the people to elect the person whom they feel will best represent them.
Does it appear that we the electorate are no longer responsible enough to make such a choice, and make it wisely? Absolutely!
Is the answer to our apathy and ignorance more government? I don’t think More Government is ever the answer.