In less than two weeks, the California Republican Party Convention will take place in Indian Wells, in the Palm Springs area. At the convention, delegates will have an opportunity to take positions for or against ballot measures set to appear on the February 2008 ballot. I have authored a resolution to oppose what I call the Perata/Nunez Career Politican Term Limits Extension Act. (Will you support my resolution? Drop me a line.) I have signed the following letter to all CRP voting delegates:
FROM THE DESK OF JON FLEISCHMAN,
The Legislature’s arrogant and liberal Democrat bosses, Senate President Don Perata and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, are termed out next year and trying to remain in office – by tricking Republican voters into gutting California’s term limits law!
Funded by the Sacramento special interests with business before the Legislature, Perata and Nunez are engaged in one of the most cynical and blatantly dishonest efforts to manipulate and fool the voters – particularly GOP voters – in modern California political history.
I’m writing to ask you to join me in standing up against this outrageous and deceitful power grab. I have submitted the enclosed resolution calling on the California Republican Party to formally oppose the Perata/Nunez Initiative to weaken term limits at our upcoming State Convention.
The Perata/Nunez Initiative greatly lengthens terms for over 80% of legislators, enables 42 termed out legislators to remain in office and would enable Perata to remain as Senate President until 2012 and Nunez as Assembly Speaker until 2014! The initiative contains a special exemption for incumbents – specifically written to benefit Perata – that enables several incumbents to be in office for 16, 17, 18, 20 and even 26 years.
**There is more – click the link**
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on Tuesday, August 28th, 2007 at 12:00 am and is filed under Blog Posts.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:00 am
There appears to be a few missing numbers and facts in Jon’s post, so let me help out a bit:
The Field Poll Jon refers to also says 59 percent of Californians support the 12 year term limits reform. The support number remains virtually unchanged when voters are told there will be a transition period for sitting legislators. (PPIC and San Jose State Survey and Policy Research polls also show strong majority support for the initiative!)
Reforming term limits is not a partisan issue. Several prominent Republican legislators have spoken out about the need for reforming our current system of term limits — on this very blog!
Our current system of term limits needs fixing. Reducing the number of years a Member can serve from 14 to 12 and allowing the time to be served all in the Senate or Assembly will simplify the system and make our Legislature more effective.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Jon: Maybe you can explain to the delegates and the rest of us why you had no problem extending the term limits for your former employer, Sheriff Corona?
August 28th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Richard, you have left out any mention of the fact that this measure, as written, if passeed, allows dozens of politicians to stay in office and serve WELL BEYOND even the 12 yaers in a single chamber that you mention.
Steve, the County of Orange has no term limits on the office of Sheriff.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:00 am
That’s my point, Jon.
And you also know full well that the original term limits law also had a grandfather clause. Didn’t see you jumping up and down about that.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:00 am
A “grandfather clause” would allow current legislators to finish their 14 years.
A grandfather clause would NOT lift the current law limit of 14 and allow current incumbents to serve up to 20 years.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Give me a break, Douglas. Are we really having this conversation? The reality is that most Californians want the current limits, or even more strict ones. The ONLY reason why your measure is enjoying some rosey numbers is because there a misperception (which will be corrected during the campaign) that somehow this measure makes term limits more strict (“14″ to 12”) – which is baloney. The reality is that only a small percentage of legislators actually ever serve six years in the Assembly, and then eight years in the Senate.
The original term limits measure had a grandfather clause because people deserve to be elected knowing that they have a limited number of terms. That said, just wait and see what happens to your Republican support for this measure when they truly understand what this does…
August 28th, 2007 at 12:00 am
If this didn’t extend the limits of sitting representatives it would be worth studying. If they are serious they should come back with a version that does not allow current representatives more than 12 years.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Looks like Steven Maviglio needs a term limit.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Jon, I believe you mistook my comment — I was knocking Maviglio’s defense of the 20-year extension for incumbents as a “grandfather” clause.
I have no idea where you got the impression that this is “my measure”?
I agree with your point on this measure’s prospects, IF the opposition can raise sufficient funds for a campaign (not yet determined). For proof, just check out the crosstabs by party.
As I’ve said to many people, if somehow this passes I think an initiative that switches the “12” to “8” would — and eliminates the grandfather clause — would very likely pass on the momentum of the misleading campaign the Yes side is probably going to run this time, and it would serve them right.
August 30th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Why would Republicans want to weaken the power of legislative Republicans and the Governor by keeping Fabian Nunez as Speaker until 2014 and Don Perata as Senate President until 2012?! You will be helping them consolidate power and advance their extremely liberal agenda. This means more taxes, anti-business regulation, social engineering and government control over the lives of California citizens.
Perata and Nunez are hoping that California are suckers and will help them stay in power. We can’t let them get away with it.