When Rookies Rule The Roost

In states like Ohio, term limits kicked out career politicians. Was that a good idea?

Cut it! cut it!" the young Republicans were getting carried away. During an all-night budget session in late April in the Ohio house of representatives, G.O.P. members were chanting in unison. "Cut it! Cut it!" But they had no idea what they were cutting. With the economy slowing, the state legislature faced an $800 million budget shortfall. And so the Republican leadership was staying up through the night, going through the budget line by line. Then the caucus found an $8.4 million agriculture item no one could explain. "Cut it! Cut it!" The item was slashed. But the next day someone...

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