Ad Watch: Term limit changes would 'strike a balance,' ad claims

Supporters of Proposition 93 on the Feb. 5 ballot launched their media campaign Tuesday with a 30-second television advertisement featuring former state Finance Director Tim Gage.

The TV spot stresses a campaign theme, claiming the initiative would "strike a balance" that combines the "benefits of term limits" with the "benefits of experience."

Proposition 93, on the Feb. 5 ballot, would alter the state's existing term limits that allow six years in the Assembly and eight in the Senate.

Passage would reduce total years from 14 to 12, but allow all to be served in one house. It also would permit incumbents to remain in office beyond their current term limit.

The following is a text of one ad and an analysis by Jim Sanders of The Bee Capitol Bureau:

•TIM GAGE: Here's California's budget – over $145 billion dollars. Making that budget work in a bad economy is a tough job. It takes experience – and that's what we get with Prop. 93.

•ANNOUNCER: Prop. 93 cuts terms from 14 years to 12, and lets legislators serve all that time in the Senate or Assembly. More time to solve problems.

•GAGE: Prop. 93 strikes a balance – the benefits of term limits, the benefits of experience.

•ANNOUNCER: Strike a balance. Yes on 93.

ANALYSIS: Term limits are popular with California voters, so the ad's pitch is that Proposition 93 would improve them, even tighten them, certainly not diminish them.

That claim is hotly contested – and both sides have a point – depending on what you believe.

Allowing a dozen years of service in one house could make the Legislature more stable, reduce staff turnover, ease constant fundraising and allow lawmakers to gain more expertise.

On the other hand, more frequent turnover could be a good thing, promoting fresh ideas, new leadership and less special-interest influence.

One study showed that about 90 percent of legislators never move to the other house, so permitting them to remain longer in their seat would likely lengthen careers and loosen existing term limits.

The new TV ad does not address the most controversial aspect of Proposition 93, which would give incumbents at least one additional term.

Thirty-four lame duck lawmakers could immediately file for re-election if Proposition 93 passes. They include Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, who could serve an extra six years, and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, who could serve another four.

Campaign strategies are clear: Opponents paint the initiative as a power grab led by Núñez and Perata. Supporters tout it as a much-needed, good-government refinement to bolster performance.

Of the 15 states that impose term limits, California's currently are among the tightest, both in maximum years of service and the state's ban against a termed-out lawmaker running again after sitting out several years.

Gage was the state's finance director from 1999 to 2003 under Gov. Gray Davis. He later founded Blue Sky Consulting Group, which specializes in economic and public policy. Gage said that neither he nor his firm was paid for the TV ad or to support Proposition 93.

About the writer:

• Call Jim Sanders, Bee Capitol Bureau, (916) 326-5538.