There's an interesting story in today's Boston Globe that reports that up to 30 state legislative seats could turn over next year.
The turnover is due to a number of factors. But one thing is clear. Next year's legislature is likely to include a high number of newly-elected members, and that's a good thing.
I filed a bill for term limits on the legislature earlier this session because I believe that turnover is beneficial for our state. Public office was never meant to be a career. Instead, our founding fathers envisioned a citizen legislature made up of people who volunteered a brief portion of their lives to making Massachusetts a better place. They wanted people to bring the richness of their collective personal and professional experiences into the the legislature and to apply them to public policy with energy and fresh ideas. And after awhile, they intended for them to let others take their place to start the process anew.
It will be interesting to see what the legislature looks like in 2011. Hopefully it will be one full of new faces, fresh ideas, and an energetic spirit poised to take action on the important issues facing us.
