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Federal and State Officials

Outlook

For the most part, the structures of state and federal legislatures will remain unchanged (and the number of officials will stay relatively static), although the topic of limiting the number of terms that a representative is allowed to serve does often arise in election years. An increase in the number of representatives and other officials is possible as the U.S. population grows, but would require additional office space and other costly expansions.

To attract more candidates to run for legislative offices, states may consider salary increases and better benefits for state senators and representatives. But changes in pay and benefits for federal officials are unlikely.

The federal government has made efforts to shift costs to the states; if this continues, it could change the way state legislatures and executive officers operate with regard to public funding. Already, welfare reform has resulted in state governments looking for financial aid in handling welfare cases and job programs. States are seeking federal funding to help implement portions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Arts funding may also become the sole responsibility of the states as programs such as the National Endowment for the Arts lose support from Congress.