DRIVE FOR PART-TIME LAWMAKERS.Byline: David M. Drucker Sacramento Bureau SACRAMENTO - The organizer of last year's recall of Gov. Gray Davis launched a campaign Wednesday to convert the full-time Legislature to part time. Ted Costa filed paperwork to circulate cir·cu·late v. cir·cu·lat·ed, cir·cu·lat·ing, cir·cu·lates v.intr. 1. To move in or flow through a circle or circuit: blood circulating through the body. 2. petitions for an initiative that, if certified See certification. for the March 2006 ballot and passed by voters, would amend the state Constitution to make lawmakers part time. ``We're asking that the Legislature go home, be in their districts, go to Rotary Rotary can refer to:
Capitol, seat of the U.S. government at Washington, D.C. It is the city's dominating monument, built on an elevated site that was chosen by George Washington in consultation with Major Pierre L'Enfant. news conference. ``We had a recall last year. ... Now we have to bring reforms to the legislative process itself.'' The California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). Legislature is one of only four nationwide that is full time, with members of the Assembly and Senate paid $99,000 a year, plus a car allowance and $125 a day in living expenses for every day they are in session. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (German pronunciation (IPA): [ˈaɐ̯nɔlt ˈaloɪ̯s ˈʃvaɐ̯ʦənˌʔɛɡɐ] has indicated a willingness to support a part-time Legislature and accused lawmakers of wasting time by passing inconsequential in·con·se·quen·tial adj. 1. Lacking importance. 2. Not following from premises or evidence; illogical. n. A triviality. bills and failing to address problems. ``If they only are here part time, they will get down to real business,'' the Republican governor said in a National Public Radio interview broadcast Wednesday. ``I want the legislators and us - the Governor's Office, everyone - to work on real issues.'' Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuez, D-Los Angeles, said converting the Legislature to part-time status would be a mistake because it would give the governor more power and make it harder to address the state's problems. ``If we weaken one branch of government, another will be strengthened - in this case, the governor,'' Nuez said. ``The moneyed special interests and their lobbyists who already have too much clout in California will be strengthened, as well.'' Currently, legislative sessions last two years, meeting for a week in December to organize and meeting from January to the end of August, with 10 days off for Easter and one month off for summer recess. Under Costa's proposal, lawmakers would adjourn adjourn v. the final closing of a meeting, such as a convention, a meeting of the board of directors, or any official gathering. It should not be confused with a recess, meaning the meeting will break and then continue at a later time. (See: recess, session) for the year on June 30. His proposal does not mandate a lesser salary for part-time legislators, but he said he expects lawmakers would get paid less if it passes. David M. Drucker, (916) 442-5096 david.drucker(at)dailybulletin.com |
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