Connecticut Senate Bill SJ00013

Connecticut 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/18/23
• Refer: 1/18/23

Caption

Resolution Proposing A State Constitutional Amendment Concerning The Term Of Office For State Senators.

Impact

The proposed changes in SJ00013 are significant as they would alter the fundamental structure of governance as laid out in the state constitution. By moving to four-year terms and staggering them, the bill could lead to a more consistent legislative body, allowing senators to focus more on long-term initiatives rather than short-term electoral concerns. This change would also align state senatorial practices with many other states that already employ longer terms.

Summary

SJ00013 is a proposed resolution aiming to amend the state constitution regarding the terms of office for state senators. Specifically, the resolution seeks to extend the term of state senators from the current two years to four years. Additionally, it proposes that Senate terms be staggered, meaning that half of the Senate would be up for election in each cycle. This legislative effort is intended to provide more stability within the Senate's membership and reduce the frequency of elections, thereby potentially improving governance and continuity in policy-making.

Contention

Notably, there may be points of contention surrounding this amendment. Some critics argue that extending terms could reduce accountability to constituents, as voters would have less frequent opportunities to assess their representatives' performance. Furthermore, the idea of staggering terms may face opposition from those who prefer a fully refreshed Senate with every election cycle. The debate surrounding these changes will likely focus on the balance between stability in governance and the need for electoral responsiveness.