[Dales]

Termed-out Sen. Maurice Johannessen, R-Redding, broke ranks to provide the one GOP vote that Gov. Gray Davis and Democratic leaders needed for the budget in the Senate.

And

Everyone in the Capitol assumes that two termed-out Republicans, David Kelley of Idyllwild and Richard Dickerson of Redding, are ready to back the budget.

Aren't term limits grand?

A term limited politician no longer has a vested interest in listening to his or her constituents. But they do have a vested interest in cozying up to those who might hire them after they leave their job.

[Dales]

And more:

Much of the speculation has centered on the two Republicans who joined with Kelley and Dickerson last year to approve a budget. But those two -- Anthony Pescetti of Rancho Cordova and Mike Briggs of Fresno -- don't appear to be cooperating.

Both are leaving the Legislature after this year. Pescetti reportedly has his eye on the state Senate seat now held by Rico Oller of San Andreas (particularly if Oller runs for Congress in 2004) and must maintain his GOP credentials.

[monkeyshine]

Exactly why I am against term limits. I was mildly in favor in the past (I wasn't old enough to vote on that issue so it was mute support), but now I am solidly against term limits.

That said, every state senator and assemblyperson who takes a government job after being termed out should be investigated for impropriety during their term... vote selling for a job is a crime.