[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

At yesterday's entertaining PPIC forum on improving the legislature, reforming term limits got support from two unexpected movers and shakers: former Governor Pete Wilson and former Republican State Senate leader Jim Brulte. They, along with former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown and former Democratic Senate President pro Tem John Burton, all threw their support behind efforts to reform term limits as a way to cure what they believed was a "dysfunctional" legislature.

Senator Brulte spoke strongly in favor of Prop 93, the term limit reform initiative, saying it was essential to improve legislative performance. And Governor Wilson kicked off the session by talking about the need for legislators to cross party lines and building relationships -- something that's become more difficult as legislators spend more time politicking than policy making.

The endorsements are welcome good news for the Yes on 93 campaign. Polls have continued to show strong support for the initiative among Republicans.

Former Gov. Gray Davis endorsed Prop 93 last month in an appearance before the Sacramento Press Club.

Image courtesy Sacramento Bee.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

• Speaks of the most vulnerable Californians in the "free-fire zone"
• Calls on Governor to lead beyond the budget to rationalize revenue, spending, and a tax system that makes us "a sidecar to the federal government"
• Compares state lottery to funding government by "bake sale"

Democratic Senate Leader Don Perata with Budget Committee Chairs John Laird of the Assembly and Jenny Oropeza of the Senate in background

By Frank D. Russo

Don Perata, the President pro Tem of the California Senate spoke of Democratic values in response to Governor Schwarzenegger's proposed revisions of the California state budget. But he didn't just limit his remarks to the issues of this year's budget, and branched off into a philosophical discussion of systemic changes in the way our state approaches raising revenue and spending it.

Speaking to dozens of reporters at a press conference without notes immediately following the Governor's unveiling of changes to the budget, Perata's colorful remarks drew laughter at times, but was also thought provoking and had the ring of candor.