Term-limit, appointment changes not needed

Among prefiled bills for next year's session of the Missouri General Assembly are measures aimed at extending term limits of lawmakers and giving them more input into selection of Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission members.

State Sen. John Schneider of Florissant and state Rep. Dan Ward of Bonne Terre propose to extend maximum service in both chambers from eight years to 12 years. Ward's plan would also exclude partial terms from counting against the limits. State Sen. Sidney Johnson of Agency and state Rep. Ted Farnen of Columbia have filed measures that focus solely on excluding partial terms from counting.

State Rep. Lanie Black of Charleston will push his proposal that would retain six state highway commissioners, but their terms would be staggered with two commissioners being replaced every two years. When terms expire, party leaders in both legislative chambers would each submit lists of three candidates, with the governor obligated to appoint from that pool of names one commissioner from each party.

It isn't the first time efforts to extend term limits have been initiated, but with limits taking full effect in next year's election there's a good chance lawmakers will put more emphasis on those proposals. Currently, a governor can name whomever he wishes to the highway commission, and appointments are subject to Senate approval.

Missouri voters instituted term limits for good reason, and lawmakers should have gotten the message by now and abide by their wishes.

The procedure for appointment of highway commissioners has worked well, and Missouri has had excellent commissions through the years to prove it. That procedure does not need legislative interference.