THAT’S DEBATABLE:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently said he changed his mind on term limits and supports Proposition 93, which would allow lawmakers to serve longer in the Legislature. What do you think of the governor’s change of heart and the proposition?

I remain opposed to this initiative. In 1990, the voters passed Proposition 140 by a narrow margin of 52% in favor of mandatory term limits to rid Sacramento of career politicians. As a result, new faces and ideas arrived in Sacramento to better represent Californians. With a large increase in new-to-Sacramento legislators, however, lobbyists have emerged as the major public policy driver, therefore tipping the scales of power in favor of special-interest groups. While this unintended consequence must be rectified to correct the political imbalance in our state, Proposition 93 is not the answer. It will further undermine the original intent of term limits and result in a power grab for the newest batch of career politicians.

Tom Harman

Senator

(R-Huntington Beach)

I’m opposed to Proposition 93. The best term limit is the voters saying “no.” For this we need fair and competitive districts, not the incumbent-safe gerrymandered districts we now have. If this measure passes, most politicians will have only one competitive election in 12 years: their first partisan primary. If Proposition 93 passes, politicians may become more “experienced,” but they will also become less responsive to Californians, harming representative democracy in the process.

Chuck DeVore

Assemblyman

(R-Newport Beach)

For me, the term limits debate is about limiting the influence of special interests in Sacramento.

Under Proposition 93, Assembly terms would be doubled, Senate terms increased by 50% and 42 termed-out incumbents could remain in office. Politicians say their initiative is a reduction in terms, but more than 80% of legislators would have them greatly increased.

I question whether lengthened terms will serve Californians best. Will returning to the days of Willie Brown and Jesse Unruh really help elected officials address the state’s needs? Or will these lengthened terms further entrench the political establishment and special interests? As legislators, our responsibility is to our constituents. Every person cast their vote to be heard in the Capitol. This is what we must be defending and protecting to make California the Golden State once again.

Van Tran

Assemblyman

(R-Costa Mesa)