Breaking NewsSponsored by The Sullivan Auto Group
Subscribe: Home Delivery Special!
Backers of term-limits measure tell opposition to reveal who's behind $1.5 million contribution
By Jim Sanders - jsanders@sacbee.com
Last Updated 5:00 pm PST Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Leaders of a campaign to alter California's term limits demanded Wednesday that their opposition disclose the names of individuals tied to a $1.5 million donation by U.S. Term Limits.
"This is about voters making an informed decision," Richard Stapler, spokesman for the Yes on Proposition 93 campaign, said of the push to force disclosure of individual donors.
Stapler called a news conference Wednesday to release a letter asking State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, who is leading the No on Proposition 93 campaign, to ensure full disclosure.
"Voters deserve as much information as possible," said Sarah Rose, representing the California League of Conservation Voters, whose executive director signed the letter unveiled Wednesday.
Supporters of the ballot initiative also lambasted the apparent involvement of Howard Rich, a wealthy, controversial New York developer and libertarian whose name has not shown up in financial disclosure statements but who is a trustee and former president of U.S. Term Limits, based in Virginia.
Kevin Spillane, spokesman for No on Proposition 93, characterized Wednesday's news conference as an attempt to deflect attention from a faltering campaign and a flawed ballot measure.
"These are the classic signs of a desperate campaign involved in desperate tactics," Spillane said, adding that donors to defeat Proposition 93 have nothing to gain financially from the effort.
Killing the initiative would retain current term limits, which allow a maximum of eight years in the Senate and six in the Assembly.
Voters will decide Feb. 5 the fate of the ballot initiative, which would reduce the total years a legislator could serve from 14 to 12, but would allow all to be served in the Assembly, the Senate or a combination of both.
Proposition 93 would provide at least one extra term for incumbents, a provision that would open the door for Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata to remain in power an extra six years and four years, respectively.
Read more in Thursday's Bee.
About the writer:
- Call Jim Sanders, Bee Capitol Bureau, (916) 326-5538.
Recommend this story at Yahoo! Buzz:
Unique content, exceptional value. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Most Popular
More Stories in Politics
News |
Sports |
Business |
Politics |
Opinion |
Entertainment |
Living Here |
Travel |
Blogs |
Cars |
Homes |
Jobs |
Classifieds/Shopping
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site Map | Advertise | Guide to The Bee | Bee Jobs | FAQs | RSS
Contact Us | e-edition | Subscribe | Manage Your Subscription | E-newsletters | Sacbeemail | Archives
sacbee.com | Sacramento.com | Capitol Alert | SacMomsClub.com | SacPaws.com | SacWineRegion.com
Copyright © The Sacramento Bee
2100 Q St. P.O. Box 15779 Sacramento, CA 95816 (916) 321-1000