The Journal

Former Missouri Governor and current Webster University adjunct professor Bob Holden hosted his third installment of "Pizza and Politics" on Nov. 18. Mo. Sen. Chris Kelly-D, and Ed Martin, who is running for the U.S. Congress, and heads Term Limits for Missouri, a St. Louis-based organization, debated the merits of term limits for Missouri legislators.

From Missouri's inception in 1821 until 1992, the state senate and congressional representatives were not term-limited. Limits of eight years of service in both the house and senate, and overall legislative service of 16 years, were set in 1992.

After both Kelly and Martin made their opening statements, the town hall-style meeting was opened to the audience.

Kelly, who represents Missouri's 24th district, opposes the state's current limit of eight years in each the state house and senate. Kelly said he would like the limit expanded to 12 years, but when asked directly how many more years he would like to have the opportunity to serve, Kelly simply replied, "More."

"I would certainly say no less than 12," Kelly said. "I don't really care what 'more' is. A lot more."

Martin, formerly Matt Blunt's Chief of Staff during Blunt's tenure as governor, said without term limits, you limit the amount of new ideas flowing into the legislature. Also, Martin said term limits would not restrict the ability of a representative to learn his or her district.

"You're always learning and re-learning districts," Martin said. "The good people figure that out. My state senator knocked on my door ten times. I don't know whether you need term limits off to have that."

Holden also weighed in on the issue, stating that he opposes term limits at the state level because they can undercut a congressional stalwart's career. Holden mentioned longtime public servants such as Kelly and former U.S. Senator Jack Danforth, as examples of how effective legislators can be without term limits.

Imperial, Mo. resident Mike Cooper, attending "Pizza and Politics" for the first time, was pleased with the debate.

"I thought they both had good points," Cooper said. "I lean toward having term limits. But I understand the other side. If you have stars who have been there, I have no problem leaving them in there."

While it was his first visit to Holden's forum, he said he certainly planned on returning.

"It's my first, but it won't be my last," Cooper said.

Holden will host one more "Pizza and Politics" meeting this fall, as Missouri Department of Economic Development director Linda Martinez visits Dec. 2.

Holden has yet to announce his schedule of guests for his spring 2010 "Pizza and Politics" slate.

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