Contra Costa Times (California)
ULTERIOR MOTIVES: The state Senate approves moving California’s 2008 presidential primary to Feb. 5.
The lowdown: Cynics ask: Are lawmakers more interested in California voters having a bigger voice in the process — or that an earlier primary may allow them to extend term limits.
Terms of discussion
THANKS FOR ASKING: Two powerful interest groups announce they will team up to place an initiative on the ballot to change term limits.
The lowdown: Thanks to the California Teachers Association and, surprise, the state Chamber of Commerce, legislators get a shot at what they want — without looking like they’re the ones asking.
No limits on cynicism
TIPPING THE CAP: The oh-so-cynical — and popular — take on term limits reform is that it’s a political power push to give the Legislature’s two most prominent Democrats more time at the top.
And for any doubters out there — c’mon, anyone? — there were the events of Friday.
Here’s the problem (or was the problem; more on that in a minute): The bill was crafted to allow lawmakers to spend only 12 years total in the Legislature, but they could spend all 12 in either the Assembly or the Senate.
Currently, lawmakers can spend 14 years in the Legislature, but no more than six in the Assembly or eight in the Senate.
If voters approve a term limits initiative next year — in February before terms expire — that means Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez could get six more years in the Assembly and Perata, at least he thought, could get four more years in the Senate.
Problem is, Perata is not only serving his second four-year term in the Senate, but he also served the last two years of now-Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s term, so he would ultimately exceed the 12-year cap.
No worries. According to various sources, the initiative backers submitted an amendment on Friday. And if you need to know just what that little amendment cleared up, then you’re just not cynical enough for Sacramento.
OK, for you true believers … uh, anyone? … we’ll give you a hint: Perata can run.
Political payday
SIX-FIGURE SALARIES: Capitol Weekly this past week published the current salaries of everyone who works for the Legislature — all 2,010 of them.
And what did they find?
The total annual payroll was $119 million, or $59,200 per employee. Plenty are making much more than that.
By our count, 212 of them make six figures. Heading the list is Dan Eaton, the chief of staff for Nunez, who is pulling down $200,004 a year.
Legislators, by the way, top out at $130,056. That’s what Nunez; Perata; Assembly Majority Leader Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles; Assembly Minority Leader Mike Villines, R-Clovis; and Senate Minority Leader Dick Ackerman, R-Irvine, make.
Most other legislators make $110,880.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Really, what we’re looking at is two powerful politicians looking to extend their stay in office.” — Carmen Balber, for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, on an initiative to change terms limits that could result in extending the terms of Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland.
