Regarding the recent petition to require term limits for Alaska state legislators, I understand the impulse to decrease the possibility of bad career politicians. But we don’t want to discourage people from becoming longtime public servants, either.
A case in point: Alaskan Johnny Ellis. The Bartlett High School graduate won his first election at the age of 26 to the Alaska State House in 1986. He served in the House for several years, then was elected to the State Senate in 1992, where he served until his retirement in 2017. He helped create a legislative “savings spree” during boom times. That gave us a soft landing for the first years that state oil proceeds dropped. His legislative legacy includes support for the University of Alaska, plus sponsoring or co-sponsoring legislation to support families with disabled children, respite care and adult day care, the Silver Alert system, protection for vulnerable adults, the business Incentive Training Program, the Community Action Against Substance Abuse Grant Fund, Early Childhood Intervention Services, and the Key Coalition advocating for individuals with disabilities. You probably get the idea by now — Ellis served because he wanted to help people, especially those who did not already have a voice in Juneau. He was a real public servant.
It takes time to create allies and build support for bills and programs. Ellis would not have been able to accomplish all of that list if he’d only served a few years in Juneau. And he’s not the only example I could offer. We need to allow other legislators to do the same and not limit the years that true public servants can be elected. It’s better to encourage journalists and the public to research candidates and politicians. That way, we can see their actions and boot the bad ones out of office or not elect them in the first place.
— Cheryl Lovegreen
Anchorage
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