(CA) Governor willing to change term limits

[question everything]

Governor willing to change term limits

Legislators' tenure too short, he says

By John Marelius
STAFF WRITER

January 12, 2005

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said yesterday he was open to loosening the voter-approved term limits on state lawmakers, saying the mandatory short tenure is depriving the Legislature of experience and knowledge.

"We never really create someone that is an expert in anything in Sacramento," he said, "because before you become an expert you are out."

Some political analysts have suggested that lawmakers might look more favorably on Schwarzenegger's proposal to strip the Legislature's authority to redraw congressional and legislative district boundaries if he would seek a change in the 1990 initiative that limits lawmakers to six years in the Assembly and eight in the state Senate.

The governor indicated he might be amenable to that.

More..


Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050112/news_1n12gov.html

[AP]

1. Probably a self-serving position, but unusual in that Republicans HATE...

...gov't, and to suggest that people can build up an expertise at it that should be valued is probably not going to go over well with Republicans in other parts of the country where the party gets a lot of mileage out of thinking of gov't as evil.

[sui generis]

2. you gotta love republicans

law doesn't favor political corruption? Just change it.

[davidinalameda]

3. as much as I hate to say it, he's right

there is NO institutional knowledge in Sacramento right now

you have representatives that serve for however long and then they're term limited out

they either leave government all together or start looking for their next office

that's another big problem--you have people who are always looking to move to an office and that's their main concern

Carol Midgen comes to mind--she represented San Francisco in the state assembly, served less than a full term on the State Board of Equalization and is now a new state senator

It would have been great if she could have stayed in the state assembly--she is damn sharp and knows her stuff--money

but no, she was termed out and had to find another office to run for--she's a professional politician and that's her life--serving the people of this state

it just goes to show how stupid term limits are--we lose the best people just when they have the experience to really know what they're doing

and it leaves new members open to greater influence from special interests on both sides

it appalls me when I hear that some lobbyist has drafted a new bill--isn't that the job of the representative?

[mslux]

11. Term Limits Voted In

It was a popular vote that created term limits in California. There were some serious problems with long-timers at the time of the ballot initiative. People vote it in; Governor cancels it?

[David__77]

4. For tactical reasons, I would oppose this.

Term limits have actually been a good thing for the Democratic Party, contrary to the expectations of the authors of the limits. Many old Republicans were replaced by Democrats. It is easier for Democrats to hold seats with any candidate, while Republicans get more "flukes" through the cracks and I want them out of districts a Democrat can win as soon as possible.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

14. It is the swap for redistrticting no doubt

[Demeter]

5. NOW Whose Ox Is Getting Gored?

Seen this come up already in Michigan, New Hampshire, anywhere it's been tried--hell, they wanted to pull the Presidential term limits for Reagan (amazingly enough, haven't heard that argument for Shrub! Maybe there's some underlying acknowlegement that he is not a good President, after all!)

That's all we'd need: 12 years of senility in office. I'd say let the term limits ride: If the GOP can't make enough power and money in the time alloted, who cares?

[wildwww2]

8. After the GOP performs their next 9-11. Bu$h will become the dictator

he has wished and hoped for. Ever since he stole the first election. So term limits for our country`s dictator will be a non-issue.
Peace
Wildman
Al Gore is My President

[notadmblnd]

6. since when did Arnold become an expert on anything besides steroids

and lame action movies. He's been Gov for about a year and now he's an expert on experts?

[Barkley]

7. Racism: Republicans used term limits to get rid of Willie Brown as Speaker

One of the most famous targets of the initiative
was flamboyant Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D), who was
termed-out of office after three decades in power.

WP
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/termlimits/stories/ca100897.htm

Now that they have Arnold they want to change back.

[HerbieHeadhunter]

9. Well, I agree....but isn't it interesting how....

Republicans have become far less interested in term limits since they have been in power. All of the sudden, for some reason, they don't seem important anymore. Go figure.

[ronnykmarshall]

10. This will be interesting.

I wonder how many "termed out" politicians will jump back in next year?

[davidinalameda]

12. the whole thing would have to go before the voters

and from personal experience, just because someone has a D after their name, doesn't necessarily make them the good guy

[Kilkenny5]

13. That's big of him!

Will he limit himself to one term as well?