BY RICK PLUTA
Michigan Public Radio Network
There's a new effort to change legislative term limits in Michigan.
State Representative Joe Havemen said six years in the state House or eight years in the state Senate is not long enough to really learn the job. The Republican from Holland wants to allow lawmakers to serve a combined 16 years in the House, the Senate, or both.
He said term limits in the state Capitol is a failed experiment.
"Experience matters. Institutional knowledge matters, and we don't have that in this building," Holland said.
Haveman's plan would not apply to him or to other currently serving legislators. Term limits were approved by Michigan voters in 1992, and it would require voter approval to change them.
Supporters of term limits say they've worked as intended, which is to force politicians to retire before they acquire too much power.
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