Michigan has held onto the toughest term limits in the U.S. for its elected officials in the House of Representatives, the State Senate, and the Governor’s Office since 1992. The debate on term limits rises up every other election when a good majority of office holders are term limited out of office. This year’s turnover is no different with 70 percent in the Senate and 20 percent in the House finding their time is up, no matter how the public might rate their performance in office. This forum will look at the outcome of term limits, the experience of those in office, and related proposals for the future.
Panelist Biographical Information
Marjorie Sarbaugh Thompson, Ph.D., professor of political science at Wayne State University. She has studied the impact of Michigan’s term limits since implemented. Commissioned by Citizen's Research Council to summarize her findings in a co-authored report, Sarbaugh Thompson will open the forum discussion.
- Ken Sikkema, senior policy fellow at the Lansing-based nonpartisan consulting firm Public Sector Consultants. He served 20 years in the Michigan Legislature, 12 in the state House and eight in the Senate. He served as Republican House Leader and Senate Majority Leader.
- Sen. Rebekah Warren, an Ann Arbor Democrat, who served in the state House for 4 years before successfully running for the state Senate, must leave the Senate due to term limits. She is now seeking a state House seat, where if successful, she will serve a two-year term.
- Chuck Hadden, president and CEO of Michigan Manufacturers Association, has experienced term limits both as a lobbyist and a public policy officer while representing businesses from across the state before the legislature and government agencies on numerous issues, including taxation, product liability, employment and insurance.
Video
Watch the November 14th, 2018 forum.
Pictures
See all the photos from the forum here