|
Thursday, 14 February 2008 |
|
Assembly
Speaker Fabian Nunez on Thursday said he was responsible for the failure of
Proposition 93. The failure
of the term limits initiative has forced
politicians to step down. Proposition 93 would have allowed members
of the California
State Legislature to remain in their current office up to 12
years-longer than they are currently allowed under California's existing term limits.
However, the proposed amendment would reduce their overall allowable time in
office by 2 years. Amador
residents were overwhelmingly against Prop 93, with 61 percent voting “No” over
the 38 percent who voted “Yes”.
The defeat of Prop 93 started a
reevaluation of leadership in the Legislature at a time when lawmakers are
faced with a 14.5 billion dollar budget hole. Democrats in the state Senate selected Darrell
Steinberg of Sacramento
as their replacement for President Pro Tem Don Perata, who will be termed out
of office later this year. Democrats plan to make their choice permanent in a
caucus vote Aug. 21, and Steinberg would take over in December. Assembly Democrats plan to vote
March 11 for a new speaker, although
they voted unanimously that Nunez would stay until the end of the legislative
session in August.
Nunez has claimed full responsibility for Proposition 93’s
failure, which he says is due to a lack of a redistricting deal. Nunez
and Perata have both said they are committed to redistricting reform. By
definition, redistricting reform means drawing new boundary lines
for Congress and CA Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization districts.
Currently, the CA State Legislature draws those lines. Many see this as a major
conflict of interest. Last
year, both sides of the aisle proposed competing redistricting measures in the
Legislature but failed to agree on who would draw the boundaries. A 54 percent
statewide rejection of Proposition 93 has pushed Nunez into political
retirement for the next few years.
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 28 February 2008 )
|
