Missouri lawmakers are considering some major changes that could shake up the state’s political scene. The proposed resolution, introduced by Rep. Jeff Myers from Warrenton, suggests two big ideas: reducing the size of the Missouri House of Representatives and allowing lawmakers to serve longer terms in office.
Right now, Missouri’s House has 163 members, making it the fourth-largest legislature in the U.S. Myers wants to cut that number down to 103. The goal? To create a more efficient and organized state government while making it easier for lawmakers to communicate with their constituents.
But that’s not all. The resolution also tackles Missouri’s term limits. Currently, lawmakers can only serve 8 years in either the House or the Senate. Myers thinks this doesn’t give them enough time to really learn the ropes and make a big impact. With the new plan, lawmakers could serve up to 16 years across both chambers. According to Myers, this would help reduce the influence of lobbyists, who aren’t term-limited and have been around for decades, while giving lawmakers a better chance to build valuable experience.
Supporters of the proposal believe the changes will save Missouri money—up to $9.6 million a year—once the new system kicks in after the 2030 census.
Of course, not everyone is on board. Some worry that fewer lawmakers could mean less influence for voters, especially in rural areas. What do you think? Would you support a smaller, longer-term Missouri legislature?
