Californians retain legislative term limits

California voters rejected last week a measure that would have eased limits on how long their state lawmakers can stay in office.  

 

 

 

By a 16 percent margin, voters rejected a ballot initiative that would have allowed legislators to serve up to four additional years if they collect a sufficient number of constituent' signatures. California Assembly members are limited to three two-year terms, and state senators may serve up to two four-year terms.  

 

 

 

California adopted the limits in 1990. In January, however, the Oregon Supreme Court struck down the state's term-limit law. Weeks later, Idaho's legislature repealed its law. A half-dozen other legislatures are considering bills to alter or eliminate their term limits.