Bill With Goal Of Establishing Term Limits In Tennessee Killed In Committee By Republican Supermajority
Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Kelly M. Jackson] –
Yesterday, a bill that would have helped create a referendum process that would have enabled the public to vote on whether their elected and appointed officials will be term limited was voted down by the Republican majority in the House Elections and Campaign Finance Subcommittee.
HB0118 as introduced, sought to establish a referendum process by which the electorate of a local government in this state may vote to establish 16-year term limits for the public officials of the local government.
During yesterday’s meeting, some questions about the function of the bill were asked in regard to the impact the bill would have on those who are currently seated in an elected or appointed position, and if municipalities that already had their laws or rules that determine a term limits. And if this bill would impose any changes.
The sponsor of the bill, freshman Representative Bryan Richey (R- District 20- Maryville), conveyed that the bill would only apply to city council and county commissions.
Those bodies who already impose term limits on its members that do not exceed 16 years, would not have been affected by this bill, and it would have established a process by referendum for areas of the state that do not have any processes in place for term limiting their local governing bodies.
The bill was pushed for presentation from a date last week, due to a lack of support among committee members. An amendment was added to remove any impact it would have had on members of the General assembly and the Governor.
Even with those changes, there was not enough support to get the bill through the committee process.
In prior conversations with Representative Richey, he said “this issue polls at 70% for Tennesseans, so it is an issue that clearly the people want to see acted on in this session”. Term limits are historically a conservative issue, and with the vote being taken by roll call instead of just a voice vote, the constituents of this committee may have some explaining to do when they go back home.
The lone vote in support of the bill was from Representative Clay Doggett (R- D70- Pulaski).
Representative Jeff Burkhart (R-D75-Clarksville), Representative John Crawford (R- D1-Bristol/Kingsport), Representative Esther Helton-Haynes (R-D30- East Ridge), Representative Larry Miller (D-D88-Memphis), Representative Jerome Moon (R-D8-Maryville), and Representative Tim Rudd (R-D34-Murfreesboro) voting against the bill.
With so much constituent support for term limits in the state of Tennessee, it is unlikely that this will be the last effort made by those who truly seek to do the will of the people in the Volunteer state.
About the Author: Kelly Jackson is a recent escapee from corporate America, and a California refugee to Tennessee. Christ follower, Wife and Mom of three amazing teenagers. She has a BA in Comm from Point Loma Nazarene University, and has a background in law enforcement and human resources. Since the summer of 2020, she has spent any and all free time in the trenches with local grassroots orgs, including Mom’s for Liberty Williamson County and Tennessee Stands as a core member. Outspoken advocate for parents rights, medical freedom, and individual liberty. Kelly can be reached at kelly@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
As well as it should have been. No majority in some referendum should deprive me of my right to vote for anyone otherwise qualified to run for office. WELL DONE Republicans!
I have to disagree with you, Stuart. It took a protracted court battle to enforce the term limits voters approved in Knox County, and, although nothing is perfect, the politicians here are a lot more respectful of the citizenry. No matter how much you like or respect a certain politician, longevity in office breeds, in too many cases, arrogance and head in the clouds thinking. We’re seeing it daily as we learn how many of our politicians are bought and paid for. In my mind, 16 years is too long. 8 years is plenty for any of them. At that point they should be forced to find non-governmental employment and live under the same laws they passed.
Sorry Ralph, I will never agree that an arbitrary time limit established by some law is better than some choice by the citizenry exercised at the ballot box in free elections. I know, trying to convince your fellow citizens that a politician is “arrog[ant] and [has] head in the clouds thinking, [and is] bought and paid for. . .[so] should be forced to find non-governmental employment” is a pain but its democracy and I sort of like it.
Good old boy network lives on.
Campaign Finance Reform. If you cannot vote for a candidate you cannot contribute to their campaign.
Jean, I am a bit unsure as to what you are saying. Are you saying we need Campaign Finance Reform so that if we cannot vote for someone we couldn’t donate to them? Or are saying because we cannot vote for a candidate then we cannot donate to their campaign? If what you are saying is the latter, that is absolutely incorrect. I routinely donate the candidates whom I like but are in other counties of Tennessee or even in other states. I certainly cannot vote for them but that doesn’t mean I don’t want them to win their elections.
I agree with Ralph; eight years is plenty of time in office. We were never meant to have “politicians” but civil servants who would serve a short time in office, make reasonable laws, and then return home to live under them as private citizens. George Washington, himself, set the example for us in refusing to be crowned as a king and stepping down after serving two terms. Professional politicians having become nothing more than gold diggers.