A group that supports the existing term limits law in California is suing state Attorney General Jerry Brown. The group, U.S. Term Limits, says Brown has filed misleading language for a new ballot measure that would change the law. From Sacramento, Jenny O'Mara reports.
The group U.S. Term Limits is suing over the title and summary of the initiative that would change the limits on state legislators’ time in office.
Spokesman Jeremy Johnson says the measure would not truly “reduce” lawmakers’ terms, as it says in the first line of the summary. He says incumbent lawmakers -- like Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Senate President Pro-Tem Don Perata -- would benefit. They would be allowed to run again.
Johnson : Several incumbents would be able to serve 16, 18, or even 20 years in the legislature. This is hardly a reduction in terms.
Lawmakers can currently serve six years in the Assembly and eight in the Senate for a total of 14. The proposed ballot initiative would change that to twelve years -- but all of that time could be in one house.
U.S. Term Limits wants the ballot language changed. In a statement, the initiative’s supporters say the title is fair and accurate and that the litigation has no merit.
In Sacramento, I’m Jenny O'Mara.
