Opinion: Prop. 28 — a judicious fix on term limits
Publisher’s note: This editorial is from the April 29, 2012, San Francisco Chronicle.
The term limits approved by California voters in 1990 have been a disaster for the legislative process. Their promise of replacing career politicians with citizen-legislators has not been realized. Its main effect has been to elevate the influence of special interests while creating a revolving door where novices rise to leadership posts and lawmakers start positioning for their next office from the moment they get to the Capitol.
Proposition 28 represents a sensible, straightforward reform that maintains a 12-year ceiling while addressing the most serious deficiency of current law: the six-year limit on Assembly members. Senators are limited to eight years.
Under Prop. 28, a legislator could serve his or her 12 years in either house – in any combination.
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