Schwarzenegger to back term-limit change

SACRAMENTO, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to endorse a February ballot measure that would change the state's term-limit laws, a report says.

If approved by voters, Proposition 93 would allow many sitting lawmakers to run for office again this year rather than be forced to leave the Legislature.

Schwarzenegger's expected backing of Proposition 93 could be a boon for the campaign as well as for State Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, who will be forced out of his seat after this year unless the state's term-limits law is changed, The Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

The Republican governor was planning to make his position public Tuesday, said sources, who said they spoke to the newspaper on condition of anonymity.

Proposition 93 would reduce the total number of years a legislator can serve from 14 to 12, but would allow lawmakers to serve all of their time in either the Assembly or the state Senate.

Current law limits them to six years in the lower house and eight in the upper house.

In addition to extending Nunez' time in office, the measure could lengthen the terms of Senate President Don Perata, D-Oakland, and more than a dozen other sitting state lawmakers.