The Relationship Between Age and Productivity in the Ohio State Legislature
Start Date
2023 4:00 PM
Location
Alter Hall Poster Session 2 - 3rd floor
Abstract
During the debates on term limits, opponents raised concerns that legislators would be less productive because of frequent turnover and a decline in the number of experienced legislators. One impact of term limits, however, is to create more opportunities for younger legislators to run for, and serve in, the legislature. Few studies have examined how age impacts legislative productivity at the state legislative level. Accordingly, this study examines that relationship in the Ohio Legislature by comparing committee leadership/membership, bills introduced, and bills passed with age of the legislator, and experience in the chamber during the 2019-2021 legislative session. We hypothesize that experience will benefit the legislator’s productivity, both ends of the age spectrum will end up being the least productive members of the assembly.
The Relationship Between Age and Productivity in the Ohio State Legislature
Alter Hall Poster Session 2 - 3rd floor
During the debates on term limits, opponents raised concerns that legislators would be less productive because of frequent turnover and a decline in the number of experienced legislators. One impact of term limits, however, is to create more opportunities for younger legislators to run for, and serve in, the legislature. Few studies have examined how age impacts legislative productivity at the state legislative level. Accordingly, this study examines that relationship in the Ohio Legislature by comparing committee leadership/membership, bills introduced, and bills passed with age of the legislator, and experience in the chamber during the 2019-2021 legislative session. We hypothesize that experience will benefit the legislator’s productivity, both ends of the age spectrum will end up being the least productive members of the assembly.
