On April 29, the New Hampshire House rejected CACR 9, the proposed state constitutional amendment that would have changed the Governor’s term from 2 years to 4 years. The proposal had passed the Senate 25-4. It needed two-thirds in each House. Although it got more “yes” votes than “no” votes in the House, it didn’t get two-thirds in the House. If it had passed the House, then it would have been on the November 2010 ballot as a question for the voters.
New Hampshire and Vermont are the only states with gubernatorial terms of two years. Back in the 1930’s, two-year gubernatorial terms existed in Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Also New Jersey back then had 3-year gubernatorial terms. Thanks to Rich Tomasso for this news.
Longer terms = more and more S-T-A-T-I-S-M and monarchy machinations.
Early on in CT, terms of legislators was 6 MONTHS — elections in May and Nov.
Ongoing ROT — just as in the rise and fall of the Roman Republic.
Good for you, New Hampshire! Every two years will keep them honest! (I hope!)
Well it’s a good thing that they did this.