One of the talks of Trenton today was the discussion surrounding a proposal to extend the elected terms for New Jersey lawmakers - up to five years for Senators (from four) and up to three years (from two) for the members of the Assembly - sometimes.

(Assembly members would serve a three year term, then two year term, then three year term, in order to cut out one election cycle per decade; Senate terms currently run for two years at the start of each decade followed by two four year terms).

Sen. Nicholas Scutari, a Union County Democrat, said the plan would reduce the focus on getting re-elected and raising money and give lawmakers more time to work on real issues. He said with more time between elections, lawmakers might not be so risk averse.

"Having some time between election cycles will allow legislators to cast aside political considerations," Scutari said.

Four of the five senators who discussed the plan in committee had been in the Assembly, and noted that it seems that every year they were preparing for a battle.

"You literally win an election, you get sworn in and you're thinking about the next campaign," said Sen. Jim Whelan.

There was no vote, but the discussion in the Senate State Government Committee opened a Pandora's box of ideas. Sen. Kevin O'Toole, a Republican, argued that term limits should be added to the discussion: maybe limiting Senators to 15 years in office and Assembly members to 12. Another Republican, Sen. Jennifer Beck, said the state needs more competitive districts, since most lean heavily to one party and are so safe that incumbents can cruise to victory after victory.

Sen. Loretta Weinberg, a Democrat, agreed with the idea of having tougher districts. (O'Toole noted that Weinberg's toughest political battles in her Bergen County district come not from Republicans but from within her own party).

Whelan, also a Democrat, argued against term limits, saying experience is an important factor in getting things done.

If all the changes discussed - longer terms, term limits, new legislative districts - it would shake up Jersey politics as we currently know it and produce significant upheaval at regular intervals. Beck suggested that increased competition would force lawmakers to remain in touch with their constituents.

"I think that's what our founding fathers had in mind. That you had a little chaos in one house and then you have more stability in the Senate," she said.

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