Thursday, November 4, 2010
11:45 AM
Next Legislature to include most new members since '83
When the 2011-2012 Legislature is sworn into office in January, it will have the most new members since 1983, according to the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Thirty-eight new lawmakers will take office next year, the most since 40 new members joined the Legislature following Tony Earl's election as governor. This year's total includes 8 new state senators, the most since LRB began reviewing legislative turnover in 1963 -- although five of the new senators have served in the Legislature before -- and 30 new state representatives.
That total is due in part to a high number of departures due to retirement or seeking other office. Twenty-four lawmakers left their posts last year, and 14 more incumbent Democrats joined them after Tuesday's GOP wave swept through the state.
-- By Andy Szal
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