Pushing for Proposition 93
The campaign for a proposal changing how term limits work in California brought out Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former Gov. Gray Davis and a collection of current and former legislators, reformers and business groups in a last minute plea to win support for Proposition 93.
Even with independent polls showing the measure in trouble, Schwarzenegger and the others insisted the proposal does not diminish the impact of term limits, but “tweaks” it to improve the concept of term limits.
Under the proposal, the total amount of time a legislator could serve would be reduced from 14 to 12 years, but allow them to serve all their time in either the state Senate or Assembly. Current restrictions limit them to three two-year terms in the Assembly plus two four-year terms in the Senate.
“When I first got elected, I thought term limits were terrific,” Schwarzenegger said at a news conference in front of City Hall.
“Now, that I've been up in Sacramento, I realize that we need to modify it, to improve it. The way it is, the special interests, the lobbyists have too much influence.”
Villaraigosa said the changes proposed by Proposition 93 would give more institutional knowledge and experience in both houses to deal with complicated issues such as the budget, environment, education and public health policies.
Added Davis: “In my five years as Governor, I had four speakers to deal with,” Davis said. “It is hard to establish relationships and trust to work on issues when that happens.”
A number of organizations oppose the measure, including Jamie Court of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.
Court complained the fundraising on behalf of the measure comes from the same special interests criticized by the governor and others.
“All this does is benefit sitting incumbents who want more time in office,” Court said. “The fundraising for this has compromised consumer protectiion in California.
“Lobbyists like Prop. 93 because they've spent a lot of money buying politicians already in office.”
But, Davis said the measure will lead to greater independence among legislators.
“The hardest word to say in Sacramento is no, especially to lobbyists when you know you may need them some day when you run for another office,” Davis said. “This will let them say no when they know they can stay in office for a decent period of time.”