PROP 93: LIMITS ON LEGISLATORS’ TERMS IN OFFICE. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
Right now an individual can serve six years in the Assembly (three two-year terms) and eight years in the Senate (two four-year terms) for a total of 14 years. The proposition would eliminate those restrictions and allow a representative to serve in either house for a total of 12 years.
Proponents are pushing this proposition as a way to keep experience in our state government. Opponents are saying it is a deceitful attempt to prolong the political careers of 42 incumbent representatives. The proclaimed goal of this proposition sounds great, but there’s more than meets the eye with this one. Let’s take a look at why we have term limits.
I think term limits, especially at the state and local levels, are a good idea. I’m sorry, but things going on at this level of government isn’t exactly rocket science. We don’t need career politicians at the state level; we need smart, successful people willing to put their life on hold and serve their communities as best as possible. Limiting the length of time someone can serve keeps their service from becoming a career and forgetting who they are ultimately responsible to.
So how does reducing the total time someone can serve from 14 to 12 years keep experience in our Legislature? It doesn’t. Hidden in the proposition is the condition that current representatives get to serve a total of 12 years in the house they belong to when the change goes into effect. Which means certain representatives currently in office will be able to serve more than the original 14 years.
Say a representative has served 8 years in the Senate and is in their second year in the Assembly. Prop 93 passes and they can now serve a total of 12 years in the Assembly. Well wait a second, what about those 8 years in the Senate? Doesn’t matter. The representative in this scenario would be able to serve for a total of 20 years, 6 more than the original 14 and 8 more than the new limit of 12. The true goal of this proposition is to circumvent term limits and allow current representatives to serve longer than they were suppose to.
It’s because of the loophole for current representatives that I’m opposing this proposition.
Prop. 93 – No
Downey has a dumb term limits proposal on their city ballot, so if you live in Downey, make sure you vote no.