by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Susan Smartt
Executive Director of the California League of Conservation Voters

The California League of Conservation Voters protects our state’s environment by educating our legislators about how to protect, preserve and enhance California’s natural wonders.

California has benefited from CLCV’s commitment to ensure that the environment a priority among lawmakers. Many legislators have fought hard to address important needs like global warming, water conservation and air quality.

However, the current system of legislative term limits act as a high barrier to effective governing – that is why CLCV supports Proposition 93, the Term Limits and Legislative Reform Act.

Right now, legislators can serve three terms of two years each in the Assembly and two terms of four years each in the state Senate for a total of 14 years. This discourages long-term thinking to tackle California's biggest environmental challenges, like the implementation of Assembly Bill 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act.

The flaw in the current system of term limits is that it keeps legislators from gaining enough experience to be truly effective. It also hinders proper oversight of the implementation of complex, important legislation. We can clearly do better with a reformed system of term limits.