Changing Members: The Maine Legislature in the Era of Term Limits

by Matthew C. Moen, Kenneth T. Palmer, Richard J. Powell

Overview

Since the early 1990s, whether elected representatives at the state and national levels should be limited to a specific term of office has been a contentious public policy question. Changing Members examines the case of Maine, which in 1996 became the first state in the entire nation where legislative term limits took effect in both chambers. Authors Matthew C. Moen, Kenneth T. Palmer, and Richard J. Powell have combined original survey data collected from Maine's legislators, several dozen interviews with legislators and other political elites, and participant observation of committee and floor proceedings to provide a complete picture of the new term limits' effects. Challenging conventional thinking on term limits and offering predictions of their likely impact in other states with citizens' legislatures, Changing Members is an essential source for citizens, elected officials and government workers, and scholars of political science.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739109304
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	11/20/2004
Pages:	165
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 8.94(h) x 0.53(d)

About the Author

Matthew C. Moen is dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Dakota. Kenneth T. Palmer is professor of political science at the University of Maine. Richard J. Powell is assistant professor of political science at the University of Maine.

Published in partnership with the Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Term Limits and American Politics
Chapter 2 Voter Unrest in the Pine Tree State
Chapter 3 Term Limits as a Solution
Chapter 4 The Changing Maine Legislature
Chapter 5 More Players, Fewer Rules
Chapter 6 Term Limits in a Citizen Legislatures

Editorial Reviews

Changing Members is an exemplary case study of the impact of legislative term limits not only on the state legislature in Maine, but also on politics and power relationships throughout the state government. An invaluable source for those interested in the study of state government—in Augusta, Maine, and other state capitals as well.

L Sandy Maisel

This is a well-written study, detailing the history of the term limits movement in Maine and its consequences. Changing Members will serve as a model for future case studies of the term limits phenomenon in other states.

Gary Moncrief

Changing Members presents a fascinating case study of the impact of term limits on the Maine state legislature, a pre-eminent citizens' legislature. Carefully researched and well written, this study has important implications for term limits in other states.

John C. Green

Maine’s eight years of experience with term limits provide an early test of the lasting effects. Trends observed in Maine are likely to arise in other term limited states as they move beyond the initial period of shock and adjustment. Moen, Palmer, and Powell lucidly depict these adaptations and trends. Changing Members is essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand how a legislature and its culture are affected by term limits.

Rick Farmer

In this delightful, entertaining, and informative work, the authors examine the issue of term limits with a case study set in Maine. They capture the essence of its ambiguity and the irony of its many impacts on the political life and culture of the state. Summing up: Recommended.

Choice Reviews

Term limits—the most significant institutional change in American legislatures in decades—are just now taking effect in fifteen states. Changing Members: The Maine Legislature in the Era of Term Limits provides a detailed look at the legislature that has had the most experience with limited legislative service. Rich in Maine context and insight into the legislative process, this book would be an excellent study of a legislature even absent term limits.

Karl T. Kurtz

In this delightful, entertaining, and informative work, the authors examine the issue of term limits with a case study set in Maine. They capture the essence of its ambiguity and the irony of its many impacts on the political life and culture of the state. Summing up: Recommended.

CHOICE

Changing Members presents a fascinating case study of the impact of term limits on the Maine state legislature, a pre-eminent citizens' legislature. Carefully researched and well written, this study has important implications for term limits in other states.--John C. Green, Director, Bliss Institute, University of Akron

This is a well-written study, detailing the history of the term limits movement in Maine and its consequences. Changing Members will serve as a model for future case studies of the term limits phenomenon in other states.--Gary Moncrief, Boise State University

Term limits--the most significant institutional change in American legislatures in decades--are just now taking effect in fifteen states. Changing Members: The Maine Legislature in the Era of Term Limits provides a detailed look at the legislature that has had the most experience with limited legislative service. Rich in Maine context and insight into the legislative process, this book would be an excellent study of a legislature even absent term limits.--Karl T. Kurtz, National Conference of State Legislatures

From the Publisher

In this delightful, entertaining, and informative work, the authors examine the issue of term limits with a case study set in Maine. They capture the essence of its ambiguity and the irony of its many impacts on the political life and culture of the state. Summing up: Recommended.

Choice