Prop 28- Voters Approve

 

Proposition 28, a measure altering California's strict term limits for state lawmakers was overwhelmingly approved Tuesday night.

Proposition 28 will reduce the time a citizen can serve in the Legislature from 14 years to 12, but allows a member to serve the entire time in one house.  Under the 1990 ballot initiative that created legislative term limits in California, lawmakers were allowed to serve no more than six years in the Assembly and eight years in the state Senate.

Prop. 28 took a big lead early Tuesday night and held it, winning by close to a 2-to-1 ratio.  The measure had been polling well - it led by 22 points in a Field Poll released last week.  With 100 percent of precincts reporting, voters backed Proposition 28 by 61.4 percent to 38.6 percent.

Supporters argued the measure would result in more experienced lawmakers and a more independent citizen Legislature, which they contended was a necessary counterbalance to lobbyists who have become increasingly powerful since voters passed the current term limits law in 1990.

Opponents assert the measure was a ruse to allow lawmakers to hold one office for 12 years rather than six years in the Assembly or eight years in the Senate.  Critics said it would give too much power to legislative leaders, by actually increasing the amount of time the lawmakers stay in the Capitol allowing them to get closer with lobbyists.

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