State to begin to feel full effects of term limits

Nebraska will begin feeling the full effects of term limits this year, with 16 rookies sworn in, and senators with two years or less or less in charge of the Legislature.

Sen. Lavon Heidemann of Elk Creek, who noted that he is "the only person in the body with more than two years of experience on the Appropriations Committee," will have the unenviable task of dealing with what could be a $377 million tax revenue shortfall.

We've called Nebraska's term limit law a mistake, voters throwing away years of wisdom in order to do away with one of the Unicameral's most talented members -- albeit one who ran against the grain -- former Sen. Ernie Chambers.

Fifteen states have term limits for legislatures, but six were repealed by lawmakers or the courts.

Nine states, including Nebraska, have bans for eight or 12 consecutive years in office, and six states have lifetime bans.

But among all the states, only Nebraska has a Unicameral form of government. In other states, lawmakers who gain experience in the house, for instance, can put it to use in the state senate.

That means Nebraska will be in a precarious position, its future in the hands of bureaucrats and rookies, until more experienced lawmakers can be returned to office, if they ever are.

The recent experience with the Safe Haven law shows Lincoln needs all the wisdom it can get.

Repealing term limits would be a good way to provide it.