HEARING ON LIMITING TERMS OF LAWMAKERS TO BE TODAY

A group seeking input on limiting terms of elected state and federal legislators will be in Cape Girardeau today.

A public hearing on the issue is being sponsored by the Missourians for Limited Terms, a bipartisan, statewide organization. The hearing will be held today from 3-5 p.m. at the University Center on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

Missourians for Limited Terms is spearheading an effort to place two constitutional amendments on the 1992 ballot: one to limit terms of state lawmakers and the other to limit terms of federal legislators. No limits exist.

A spokesperson for the group, John Thompson, said the hearing will give people a chance to express opinions on the issue without having to travel to Jefferson City.

Thompson said the move to limit terms is "sweeping America." He said: "It's something that has come of age. We want to bring the legislature back to the citizens and away from career politicians."

Thompson said most suggestions the organization has received have been to limit legislators' terms to eight or 12 years. He said the organization wants opinions both for and against limited terms.

Greg Upchurch, a St. Louis attorney, is chairman of Missourians for Limited Terms. Upchurch will be at the hearing.

In seeking input on a final proposal for the amendments, the group is holding hearings throughout the state.