Proposition 93: A Positive and Creative Reform

The LA Times calls Proposition 93 a positive and creative reform. Governor Shwarzenegger, the California League of Conservation Voters, and the California Teachers Association all agree: Vote Yes on Prop 93!

Schwarzenegger: Reform Term Limits

In backing Prop. 93, the governor says it will improve state government.

Los Angeles Times

By Arnold Schwarzenegger

January 14, 2008

I have long advocated reform in Sacramento, and I am proud of what has been accomplished since I took office in 2003. Now we need to take other important steps to make state government even more responsive to the people we serve.
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The current term-limits law has created another unintended consequence that also must be fixed. It has ceded too much power to the special interests in Sacramento, because the unions, corporations and lobbyists take advantage of the relentless campaign cycle faced by legislators forced to seek a new position. Your representatives become more concerned with campaign cash, endorsements and independent expenditures than public policy. So they operate in fear of alienating the special interests they must constantly rely on for campaign money. Former Republican leader Jim Brulte had the right idea when he said he was endorsing Proposition 93 because it will give legislators the confidence to say "no" to special interests.

The constant jockeying for new positions also makes legislators more dependent on their political party and its most extreme elements. Allowing members to serve more time in the Assembly or Senate will help bring more civility and less partisanship to Sacramento.

When Proposition 93 was first introduced, I said I would not support it without a companion redistricting measure. Though some progress was made last year on that issue, we have not been able to agree on a redistricting measure in the Legislature; I'm supporting a proposal that was drafted by reform allies including AARP, Common Cause and the League of Women Voters. But Proposition 93 is good public policy irrespective of redistricting, and on its own, it will go a long way toward improving the quality of state government in California.

The reform of term limits -- along with campaign financing and redistricting -- will create fundamental and positive change in Sacramento. The Legislature will be more representative of the people and less beholden to special interests. Its members will have more time to do their jobs well and, most important of all, problem-solving will be a higher priority than partisanship and ambition.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is the governor of California.

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