Pennsylvania's governors have been limited to serving two four-year terms since the 1960s. Prior to that, governors were limited to serving one four-year term. When a new governor takes office, he brings along a whole host of department secretaries and staff to help him establish his administration.

As a result, the entire brain trust of the Executive branch of state government changes hands quite often without Pennsylvania falling to pieces. Term limits for the governor are written into the Constitution.

Since the infamous pay raise of July 2005, many Pennsylvanians have enthusiastically discussed the possibility of enacting similar term limits for the Legislative branch of government. Most discussions hover around an 8-12 year term limit for members of the General Assembly.

A Quinnipiac University poll released on May 30, 2007 posed the question: "Do you support or oppose a constitutional amendment limiting state senators to 2 four-year terms, and state House members to 4 two-year terms meaning state senators and house members would serve no more than 8 years in office?"

A whopping 75 percent of 1318 respondents to the poll favored such an amendment, while only 19 percent were opposed and six percent weren't sure. In Pennsylvania's most populous areas, legislative term limits were even more popular. 78 percent of Philadelphians and 81 percent of Allegheny Countians responded favorably to the question.

Do Pennsylvanians also favor term limits for the Judicial branch? No scientific poll has yet been conducted, but PACleanSweep asks why citizens of the Commonwealth would feel any different about those who interpret the law than they do about those charged with creating or executing the law?

On November 6, Pennsylvanians have an opportunity to enact term limits for the Judicial branch through a simple yes/no vote on 67 judges. Of these individuals, 18 have been in office for 20 years or longer, 49 others have been in office for 10 years or more and only two have served for less than ten years. These figures only represent their tenure in the office they currently hold; many have been in some other elective office previous to taking their current position.

PACleanSweep supports term limits for judges through a resounding 'NO' vote on November 6.

2007 Retention Candidate List

Top Ten Reasons to Vote 'No'

What YOU Need to Do on November 6

PACleanSweep Judicial Retention Poll Results

Pennsylvania's Judicial Retention System

Quinnipiac University Term Limits Poll

PACleanSweep is a non-partisan effort dedicated to reforming state government in Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.PACleanSweep.com.