Dennis Tuuri

Full PEAPAC Analysis

PEAPAC Explanation: This measure would limit the number of years someone may serve in the Oregon Legislature.

PEAPAC Comment: We are very sympathetic with the impulses that bring this Measure to the Ballot. While the problems this Measure seeks to address are real, we think its the wrong solution. We oppose this measure for four reasons.

First, elders, judges and various rulers in the Bible are normally described as serving at the consent of the governed, apart from artificially imposed limits. Now, there is no obvious prohibition of term limits in the Bible, so we are free to engage in them. Still, it seems reasonable to infer that usually, rulers are not subject to set terms.

Second, good law-makers are hard to find. Term limit proponents want to solve this by cycling people into office. But we think the best solution is to identify those few who can rule well, and keep them around as long as we can! God’s Word tells us that the white-haired, the aged, are to be valued (Prov. 16:31; 20:29). They are to be listened to since experience normally produces increased effectiveness and wisdom at one’s work. Hebrews 5:14 says those best able to rule (“to discern good and evil”), are those who have “by reason of use” (that is, through long experience) trained themselves for this task.

Third, it’s hard to find rulers who act independent of the liberal state bureaucracy. The flow of information to a lawmaker in Salem is primarily funneled through the bureaucracy, which tends to be liberal. That’s always the case. But when we send inexperienced lawmakers to Salem, they are even more prone to listen to the bureaucrats. This year, the results of the first comprehensive, multi-state study of the effects of term limits, Coping with Term Limits, A Practical Guide, was released… It found that term limits have tipped the balance of power away from legislatures and toward governors’ offices and the bureaucrats in the executive branch. Inexperienced Legislators need more help with the process. And the liberal state bureaucracy, located right there in Salem, are more than ready to “help.”

Fourth, term limits preempt voters in local districts who may wish to keep their lawmaker for many years. We don’t think the electorate of the state should make these decisions for local districts. We certainly “feel the pain” of those who bring term limits to the ballot. Many voters are apathetic, entrenched Legislators can become increasingly insensitive to their constituents and buddy up with the bureaucrats, etc. This list of problems is real. But the solution that Measure 45 proposes, while well-intentioned, is the wrong one, in our estimation. The real “term limits” is an informed engaged electorate. This Measure is, in our view, an enabler of lazy voters, and should be opposed. We therefore recommend a No vote on Measure 45.