Eight years after laws took effect to limit the amount of time state lawmakers can hold office, the turnover tactic still draws strong reactions from backers and detractors.

A story from the AP says, the creators of the idea insist the term limits do their job: keeping lawmakers from becoming entrenched in office. But the politicians who have to live within the restrictions still loathe them, at least privately.

Ohio voters in 1992 overwhelmingly approved the change to the Ohio Constitution that limited state representatives to four consecutive two-year terms and state senators to two four-year terms, beginning in 2000. Those left in the first class of newcomers have been forced to find other jobs, and many do so by jumping to from one chamber to the other, or by keeping an eye out for future employment while legislating.

Half-hearted efforts to repeal or extend the limits have failed.

Backers promised new ideas would sprout at the Statehouse. The ideas may be new, but they are coming from many of the same people.

This year, the hall traffic between the House and Senate will be busy as ever. Nine people who began the current session as House members are running for the Senate _ two already have been appointed to those seats but face election in November_ and three who began the session as Senators are running for the House. One of them already has been seated. All 99 House seats are up for election, along with 16 of 33 Senate seats.