A proposal to limit the number of total terms a governor can serve to two finally receives House approval. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham’s proposed constitutional amendment failed to secure the necessary 70 votes on the first two tries. On Tuesday it got 73 votes as Bayham made the case a Louisiana governor should not be able to come back if he or she has already served eight years.
“I believe that it’s healthy that we have a change of perspective and new blood in one of the most powerful executive positions in the United States,” Bayham said.
Covington Representative Mark Wright is one of 25 House members who voted against the amendment that needed a two-thirds vote in the House. Wright questioned why this proposal is only directed towards the governor.
“Other offices have really messed things up in the past. We can go take a look at Commissioners of Insurance, Attorneys General, you name it,” Wright noted.
Bayham says most voters support term limits. He says term limits went into effect for state lawmakers starting in 2007 and it’s resulted in a better state legislative body.
“I can tell you that term limits have had a profound influence on our State. Many of us would not be here right now, if not for term limits. It’s a fresh perspective that I think has contributed positively to the state of Louisiana,” Bayham said.
Only two governors in Louisiana’s history have served more than two elected terms; Edwin Edwards and Earl K. Long. Wright does not see how capping a governor to no more than two terms will actually help the state.
“If we’re going to do it, we need to do it in a way that’s going to have a significant impact on our lives. And suggesting, in some way, that this would be it, I can’t agree,” Wright said.
The measure heads to the Senate for further debate. It will also need a two-thirds vote to pass and then it will head to the voters for their approval.