PPIC Poll: Two-Thirds of Californians WANT to Change Term Limits

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

The widely respected Public Policy Institute of California released a poll this morning with a lot of compelling data. It looks like voters aren’t too keen on how things are (or aren’t) working in Sacramento. They are hungry for change and show that through their support of term limits reform. The poll shows 55 percent of likely voters supporting February’s term limits initiative.
 
Also from the PPIC poll report:
 
"Today, 66 percent of residents say major (36%) or minor (30%) changes are needed, while three in 10 think that the term limit structure is fine just as it is (31%). Across parties, independents (67%), Democrats (66%), and Republicans (61%) are similar in their likelihood to say that either major or minor changes are needed."

People get this -- if you allow Assemblymembers and Senators to serve their whole time in office in one or the other house, you’re going to get more focused, effective legislators. They’ll not only get to gain a lot of experience on one particular policy area, but also they won’t get thrown off balance by running for another seat in just a few years.
 
Some pundits will likely say everyone should be kicked out of office -- but voters are smarter than that and realize a little proactive, positive change is the recipe for a more functional Legislature. Let’s give legislators a chance to actually DO their job. What I am still amazed by is the lack of coverage or focus on the fact that about HALF of Assemblymembers are brand-new to office for 2007. That should give any voter pause.