Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata filled the remainder of Barbara Lee's term in 1998. As originally written, the proposed initiative might not have allowed him to run again. Sacramento Bee/Brian Baer
Posted on 02/21/2007 9:37:56 AM PST by NormsRevenge
A proposal to amend California's term limits law has been revised to ensure that Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata would be eligible to serve an extra four-year term.
The editing change, made Friday, targets a special circumstance that applies to only one sitting lawmaker, Perata.
Gale Kaufman, a Democratic political consultant who helped launch the initiative drive, said the rewording simply clarifies what has been the intent all along.
"It isn't doing anything other than what we thought we did to begin with," Kaufman said.
But critics said the alteration adds to their contention that the initiative is a political power grab.
"Revising it to benefit one politician who already has served 10 years in the Senate reveals the lie about this initiative being a strengthening of term limits," said Kevin Spillane, a GOP political consultant.
Larry Gerston, a political science professor at San Jose State University, said he's doubtful the editing change will hurt the measure.
"I think opponents will have far meatier issues to chew than just the allegation of Perata gaining an extra leg up here," he said.
Neither Perata nor his attorney, Lance Olson, commented Tuesday on the revision.
California's current term limits permit a maximum of six years to be served in the Assembly and eight years in the Senate, thus allowing up to 14 years of legislative service.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata filled the remainder of Barbara Lee's term in 1998. As originally written, the proposed initiative might not have allowed him to run again. Sacramento Bee/Brian Baer
heh - that's a hoot - isn't he going to jail?
It would only be fair if the DoJ/FBI accelerated their investigation of Sen. Perata and his family&business cohorts and lobbyist dealings in years gone by so they could all rest easy and just convene the Grand Jury, they don't have anything to hide, do they? It's only been 2 years and counting, I know they're busy with all kinds of scandals and the WoT but.. ;-)
How long, AG Gonzales, how long? (ditto for William Jefferson)
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