Term limits left impact on legislative session

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The specter of voter-approved term limits loomed like a cloud over the Capitol before this year's legislative session began and was still there when lawmakers said farewell.

Lawmakers spending their final days and hours in Jefferson City were tearful, humorous and at times cantankerous. For those returning, there is concern about what the future may hold.

This year, 73 members of the 163-member House and 12 members of the 34-member Senate are prohibited from seeking re-election to their seats. A few more are voluntarily quitting.

Under term limits approved by voters in 1992, Missouri lawmakers are restricted to eight years in each chamber. The clock began ticking with the 1994 election. Before then, legislators could serve as long as voters re-elected them.

Many lawmakers said the onset of term limits made them work harder this session to leave a mark on Missouri, although a few complained privately that it was harder to spark the interest of some term-limited colleagues.

Sen. Harry Wiggins spent 28 years in the legislature and never missed a roll call vote. His 18,000-plus consecutive roll-call votes is believed to be a state record. His office also touts it as a national record.

Term limits had "a positive impact for some, because I think they saw a chance to do some things for their communities that they didn't have a chance to do before," said Wiggins, D-Kansas City. "Overall, people worked as hard as they usually do. Nobody sluffed off."