December 19, 2007

Know your politics? Probably not

Former state Controller Steve Westly, who once taught at Stanford University, clearly doesn't give voters an "A" in state politics.

Westly was blunt Tuesday when asked whether Californians will be turned off by a provision in the term-limits ballot initiative, Proposition 93, that would allow incumbents to serve at least one extra term.

Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, for example, could stay in office an additional six years and four years, respectively.

"There are perhaps 100 of us, you and me included, who are really paying attention to the individuals and so on," Westly said in a conference call with reporters.

"To the average voter, I don't think they're focused on any one or two members of the state Legislature.

"I don't think that most Californians, frankly, could name who the speaker or the president pro tem are. The simple fact is, they're looking for term limit legislation and reform that works."

Westly said the measure's limit of 12 years in the Legislature, rather than the current 14, will be popular with voters.

State lawmakers currently can serve no more than six years in the Assembly and eight in the Senate.

Posted by Jim Sanders on December 19, 2007 8:51 AM