It's Unanimous!

The Newsletter of the Term Limits Movement

January 2002 • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 1

VICTORY IN IDAHO It’s Unanimous! Idaho Supreme Court Upholds Term Limits

In December, the Idaho decision — which over- ers were elated to hear the Supreme Court unani- turned a lower court ruling news. “Christmas came mously upheld the term from last year — are broad early,” said Don Morgan, limits law originally and immediate. In addition chairman of the Citizens passed by voter initiative to the county commission- for Term Limits Idaho in 1994 with 60 percent of ers, three fourths of Idaho Campaign. “The political the vote. The ruling means county coroners, 27 asses- establishment has done that dozens of Idaho office- sors, about 24 treasurers everything they could do holders, including half of and 29 county clerks are to reverse term limits. At the state’s county commis- affected. State legislators the end of the day, com- sioners, will be barred will be barred from seek- mon sense and law pre- from having their names on ing reelection starting in vailed.” Idaho Supreme the ballot next spring. 2004. The Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice The effects of the Court’s Local term limits support- Court justices unani- Linda Copple Trout continued on page 4 Ruled in favor of term limits.

INSIDEINSIDE KEEPING HIS WORD Thank You, America — page 2 Self-Limiter Rep. Bob Schaffer Ohioans Love Term Limits Announces Plans to Leave Office — page 3 LA Term Limits Displaying a level of integrity that keep the pledge by opting not to — page 3 is uncharacteristic for most politi- run for a fourth term. cians, Rep. Bob Schaffer (R-CO) “He gave his word. He’s living Citizens in Charge recently announced his intention to up to his term-limit pledge,” press — page 4 leave office next year, honoring the aide William Mutch said. self-limiting pledge he made five U.S. Term Limits congratulated Let’s Complain years ago. Schaffer for his decision. — page 5 In 1996, Schaffer signed a term “Bob Schaffer did the right limit pledge limiting himself to thing,” Executive Director Stacie Stop the Politicians three terms in Congress. Now that Rumenap commented. “We wish — page 7 part of his third term has passed, him well in the future.” he has made it clear that he will continued on page 7

January 2002 Issue No Uncertain TERMS • U.S. Term Limits Foundation 1 10 G St., NE • Washington, DC 20002 • http://www.ustermlimits.org MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Thank You, America

As this new year begins, the people are justified in acting to reinvigorate them. there is a lot to be thankful Term limits is about our confidence in democracy and for — despite the terrible also in our can-do ability to repair things, if they happen to events of September 11. become a little bit dilapidated. In other countries, it takes Along with everything I’m grateful for in my own life, I a coup d’etat to alter a political system. feel gratitude for our strength and resilience as a people. I’m thankful that in just ten years, 19 states around the I am thankful for the content of our character as well as country have adopted term limits on their state legislatures. for the content of our institutions, the freedom and democ- I’m thankful that no matter how much flak term limits racy that inspires so many around the globe. gets from career politicians and lobbyists and bureaucrats I am thankful that even under the most difficult circum- and staffers, the public continues to support term limits by stances, we’re struggling to remain the same America we’ve overwhelming margins. Even today. Even in dire circum- always been. stances, with life itself at risk, and the exigencies of self- It was reassuring, for example, to see the citizens of New defense at the top of the policy agenda. York City exercise their democratic rights by going ahead And I’m thankful for what term limits has accomplished. with their mayoral election in November. In just the last few years, 700 seats have been pried open Sure, given the state of emergency in that town, there was to electoral competition around the country, as a direct re- some understandable debate about whether Mayor Rudy sult of term limits. Many of those hundreds of new legisla- Giuliani ought to stay on past his legal limit. Even Mayor tors would never otherwise have considered directly par- Giuliani, overwhelmed by a tsunami of gratitude for the ticipating in the governance of their communities. It was steadiness of his leadership, waffled a bit on that point. term limits that made that possible. But he came around in the end. These men and women are doctors and businessmen, shop- If term limits is based on anything, it is our belief that keepers and educators, teachers and homemakers. They are the public authority of any one single man can never be as learning what it means to be a citizen legislator. They are critical to our political health as democratic institutions that living the American dream, and they are helping to craft it. bestowed upon him that authority to begin with. Our country is far from perfect. But regardless of any short- Term limits are emblematic of what this country is, po- comings, the United States remains a great country, and a litically: i.e., a government of, by, for the people. Term strong one. It would take an awful lot — far more than we limits seek to restore American democracy to the full glory received at the hands of the terrorists — to vanquish the of its original promise. The term limits movement says: spirit of this nation. I hope and trust that it can never be yes, the idea that the people are capable of governing them- vanquished. selves is true. And the citizens ought to have every opportu- And so I am thankful. nity to engage in such governance. If and when the electoral process is in danger of becoming an empty shell, we

USTLF BOARD OF DIRECTORS No Uncertain Terms is published monthly at Peter Ackerman Travis Anderson an annual subscription price of $15. Third class postage paid, Washington, D.C. JANUARY 2002 • VOLUME 10 • NUMBER 1 Steven Baer Terence Considine POSTMASTER: Send address changes to U.S. Editor: Edward Crane Mike Ford Eric D. Dixon — [email protected] Term Limits. Neal Goldman Jerry Hirsch Contributing Writers: Kurt A. Gardinier, David M. Brown M. Blair Hull Sally Reed Impastato Term Limits On-Line! Paul Jacob Kenneth Langone A Publication of For the latest developments on term limits U.S. TERM LIMITS FOUNDATION Ronald Lauder Paul Raynault 10 G ST., NE, SUITE 410 across America, visit our web site on the WASHINGTON, D.C. 20002 Howard Rich Joseph Stilwell Internet at 1-800-733-6440 Donna Weaver Bill Wilson www.ustermlimits.org

2 No Uncertain TERMS • U.S. Term Limits Foundation January 2002 Issue 10 G St., NE • Washington, DC 20002 • http://www.ustermlimits.org OHIO OPINION Ohioans Love Term Limits

A poll released in mid-December by the University of When asked if they would favor a constitutional amend- Cincinnati found that the majority of ment that would increase the number Ohio voters are pleased with their of consecutive years that a lawmaker state’s term limits. “In the latest Ohio could serve from eight to 12, 59 per- Voters overwhelmingly approved Poll, registered cent opposed the increase, 37 percent term limits in 1992. The law, which favored it, and five percent didn’t limits state representatives to four voters were asked if know. consecutive two-year terms and state they would favor or This information came at a particu- senators to two consecutive four-year larly bad time for Ohio House terms, took effect in 2001, as the first oppose a constitu- Speaker Larry Householder (R- group of politicians covered by the law tional amendment Glenford), who was attempting to ex- were prevented for running for an ad- tend the number of consecutive years ditional term that would end term lawmakers could serve from eight to According to a press release by the limits for state 12. director of the Ohio Poll, “In the lat- Before the University of Cin- est Ohio Poll, registered voters were senators and cinnati’s poll was conducted, Brett asked if they would favor or oppose a representatives. . . . Buerck, Householder’s chief of staff constitutional amendment that would said, “The speaker wants to know: If end term limits for state senators and 62 percent oppose politicians are for this, and business representatives. . . . 62 percent op- such an amendment.” and labor leaders are for this, are the pose such an amendment.” The poll people for this?” The people have spo- also concluded that 32 percent sup- ken and his question was clearly an- ported the amendment and six percent didn’t know. swered by this latest poll.

Federal Judge Strikes Down LA City Council Shelves Unconstitutional Idaho Law Term Limit Measure In 1997, the Idaho legisla- unconstitutional — the fact is The Los Angeles City Council ended its attempts ture passed a law that virtually that most of Idaho’s counties Tuesday to overturn a mayoral veto of a ballot mea- shut down their citizens’ initia- are very sparsely populated, tive process. However, in late making it virtually impossible sure aimed at relaxing term limits on local politicians. November U.S. District Judge for petition gatherers to collect The council had tried 11 days ago to override Lynn Winmill ruled the law the signatures needed. In all, Mayor James K. Hahn’s veto but failed to gather unconstitutional. 60 percent of Idaho’s popula- the votes necessary. The 1997 law required any- tion resides in just nine of the On Tuesday, council members agreed to shelve one trying to qualify an initia- state’s 44 counties. tive for the ballot to gather the Since the law passed, not the matter, which would have allowed elected offi- cials to serve three terms of four years each, rather signatures of six percent of the a single initiative has quali- than the two terms allowed under current law. Hahn registered voters in each of its fied for the Idaho ballot. had opposed the council ballot proposal because 22 counties. While at first Judge Winmill’s ruling will he believed it was too soon to change the voter- glance these guidelines may give the initiative process approved term limit law adopted eight years ago. not seem difficult — nor would back to the citizens of Reprinted from the Los Angeles Times they appear to be obviously Idaho.

January 2002 Issue No Uncertain TERMS • U.S. Term Limits Foundation 3 10 G St., NE • Washington, DC 20002 • http://www.ustermlimits.org CITIZENS IN CHARGE

New Group Targets Expanded Voter Initiative Impact for Term Limits Could Be “Very, Very Positive”

Longtime U.S. Term Limits National Director Paul Jacob it. has formed a new organization, Citizens in Charge, to ex- USTL’s new executive director, Stacie Rumenap, ap- pand the citizen initiative process to additional states (be- plauded Jacob and the mission of Citizens in Charge, say- yond the 24 states that currently enjoy the process) and to ing, “Paul helped us achieve a tremendous level of suc- protect initiative and referendum (I&R) where it now ex- cess. I’m glad he’s remaining involved in term limits and ists. I’m very excited about his new organiza- Citizens in Charge, a non-partisan, non- tion. We’ll certainly benefit if people in profit advocacy organization, opened its Not a single more states can vote directly on limiting doors in October of this year. Already, legislature has politicians’ terms.” CIC is aggressively supporting legislation Reflecting on his role at U.S. Term Lim- in Minnesota that will allow the people to been able to its, Jacob remarked, “I’m very proud and vote to create a citizen initiative process honored to have worked with U.S. Term making Minnesota the 25th state in which overturn the Limits and to continue to be involved in voters have I&R. voters’ term this critical movement for our country’s Noting that 18 of the 19 states with term future.” limits on their state legislatures have the limits laws, Jacob further noted, “We continue to benefit of the initiative process, Jacob expand and protect term limits at the state explained, “The success of Citizens in though many and local level as well as limits on com- Charge in bringing the initiative process have tried. mittee chairmen in Congress. Not a single to additional states will help every group legislature has been able to overturn the whose goal is to enable the American voters’ term limits laws, though many people to control their own government. It’s certainly not have tried. hard to see how the impact of our success in expanding “With Stacie Rumenap at the helm of USTL, politicians I&R could be very, very positive for the term limits move- will continue to feel the power of the people when they ment.” attempt to monkey around with our term limits laws,” said Jacob continues to work with U.S. Term Limits as a Jacob. “And I’m confident Citizens in Charge will give senior fellow and a member of the Board of Directors. term limits and other reform movements even more states He also will continue producing his radio commentary where voters can make a difference through the initiative program, Common Sense, for the U.S. Term Limits Foun- process.” dation. Common Sense is heard on 272 radio stations Citizens in Charge can be reached at (703) 580-7130 or in 49 states and sent free via email to those who request 2617 Pheasant Hunt Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192.

“Victory in Idaho,” cont. from page 1 frage and the right to hold office are ers or the people to restrict access to mously rejected arguments that the twho separate acts,” Chief Justice the ballot. law violated voters’ rights to cast Linda Copple Trout wrote for the Justice Trout found that limiting ballots for the candidates of their court. terms of office did not infringe on the choice and denied veteran office- The high court agreed with argu- specific constitutional suffrage guar- holders their constitutional suffrage ments from attorneys for the state and antees of a secret ballot, qualifica- rights. Citizens for Term Limits that there tion of voters, disqualification of vot- “There is Idaho authority dating to is no fundamental right to be a can- ers and officeholders, residency, re- the time of the constitutional conven- didate for office, and that the Idaho call and non-partisan selection of tion indicating that the right of suf- Constitution clearly allows lawmak- voters.

4 No Uncertain TERMS • U.S. Term Limits Foundation January 2002 Issue 10 G St., NE • Washington, DC 20002 • http://www.ustermlimits.org THE WEEKLY RADIO COMMENTARY OF COMMON THE U.S. TERM LIMITS FOUNDATION If you would like to receive SENSE COMMON SENSE by Paul Jacob Let’s Complain by email, write to us at [email protected]

Years ago there was a America is, of course, a country in which you and I can cartoon about Soviet society in which complain. I believe we will always enjoy that freedom. a reporter is interviewing a Russian citizen about life under Still, it is disturbing to hear the U.S. Attorney Communism. General, John Ashcroft, say that critics of the He asks the woman about Soviet transportation and administration’s anti-terrorism proposals are providing, she seems to have no problem with it. “Eh, I can’t “ammunition to America’s enemies.” He told Congress complain,” she says, shrugging. Bread lines? “I can’t that those who “scare peace-loving people with complain,” she says indifferently. Housing? “I can’t phantoms of lost liberty . . . only aid terrorists.” A complain,” she says. pretty sweeping generalization. Finally, the exasperated interviewer asks, “Well, ma’am, Now, some of the criticisms may be valid, some not. And is there anything about living in Russia you don’t like?” the motives of the critics are probably all over the map too. And the woman shrieks” “I CAN’T COMPLAIN!!” But geez, this is a country where we have the right to talk Which is what freedom of speech is all about. Any things over, openly, isn’t it? totalitarian government will let you talk as much as you want, so long as you agree with them. Agreement is not the Does your local radio station carry COMMON SENSE? issue. It’s the dissent, the complaints, that bother the people If not, ask them to call 1-800-733-6440 for a FREE subscription. in power. Provided to radio stations five times a week.

January 2002 Issue No Uncertain TERMS • U.S. Term Limits Foundation 5 10 G St., NE • Washington, DC 20002 • http://www.ustermlimits.org THEY SAID IT Phony Way to Extend Limits [Former Los Angeles mayor and current California Profile in Honesty gubernatorial candidate Richard] Riordan said term Every once in a while, a public official limits ‘have empowered women and minorities, par- acts with the kind of selflessness and ticularly Latinos, more than anything else in the his- integrity that gives public service a tory of California’ by bringing in dozens of new legis- good name. Rep. Bob Schaffer, R- lators. Colo., is honoring his term-limit He said Proposition 45 ‘is a phony way to extend pledge by retiring from Congress. term limits,’ because special interests, many of which —Buffalo News (Buffalo, NY) are backing the measure, could finance the signature- December 15, 2001 gathering drives of selected legislators. —Ventura County Star December 12, 2001 Limits Remain Strong Nationwide Bills to repeal term limits failed this year in Arizona, Arkansas, Oregon and Utah. Moreover, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Maine, Michigan, Missouri and Oregon failed to pass bills intended to extend legislators’ terms beyond the limits set in the law. —Chicago Tribune December 11, 2001

“While opponents of term limits warned that the change would put innocent lawmakers in the hands of mischie- vous lobbyists, that hasn't happened. Lobbyists have to work harder than ever, courting a new crop of lawmakers every two years. Longstanding personal relationships don’t mean what they used to.” —Oakland Tribune November 25, 2001

A Lot of Bad Attitudes [Missouri House Speaker Jim Kreider fore- Term Limits Taking Effect casts one of the political storm fronts ap- [Michigan Sen. Leon] Stille said that term limits proaching the upcoming session of the Mis- have left the House with no member who has souri Legislature in January.] served more than five years, compared with sena- The impact of the 1992 term limits tors who have served at least seven. Many of the amendment to the state Constitution. Twelve House members wrestling with budget cuts this of the 34 state senators and 75 of the 163 fall have never had to deal with a budget down- state representatives will be term-limited out turn in their legislative careers. of office after this session. —Associated Press ‘There’s going to be a lot of bad attitudes,’ November 16, 2001 Mr. Kreider said. —St. Louis Post Dispatch December 9, 2001

6 No Uncertain TERMS • U.S. Term Limits Foundation January 2002 Issue 10 G St., NE • Washington, DC 20002 • http://www.ustermlimits.org STOP THE POLITICIANS California Term Limits Group Kicks Off ‘No on 45’ Campaign

A term limits advocacy group in California called Stop cate for term limits the Politicians launched their “No on 45” campaign on and the leader in December 11 with the announcement that former mayor bringing term limits to of Los Angeles Richard Riordan would act as the honor- the Los Angeles City ary campaign chairman. Council and Mayor’s Joining Mayor Riordan at the press event in Sacramento office. Mr. Riordan’s were Lewis K. Uhler, president of the National Tax Limi- vocal opposition to tation Committee and co-author of Prop. 140, the original Prop. 45 underscores 1990 California term limits initiative, Assemblyman Rod the deceptive nature of Former Los Angeles Pacheco, 64th Assembly District, and Ted Costa of the this politician- and Mayor Richard Riordan California Committee to Limit Terms, and President of special interest-in- Serving as honorary chairman of the Peoples Advocate. spired corruption of the “No on 45: Stop the Politi- cians” campaign in California. Uhler noted, “Richard Riordan has been a strong advo- our term limit law.” Lew Uhler continued, “The politicians and the capitol insiders have been trying to ‘kill’ term limits ever since the voters approved them in 1990. They attacked term limits in the courts and failed. They have continually attempted to pass measures in the legislature to weaken or undermine term limits. But their frontal assaults fal- tered in the face of voter backlash. Now they are resort- ing to this desperate effort of deception to hold onto their power.” “This latest attempt to undermine term limits is par- ticularly appalling because the proponents are attempting to fool the voters into thinking Prop. 45 would ‘protect’ term limits. In fact, Prop. 45 is the brainchild of politicians and special interest groups who have despised term limits from day one. The careerists and their money-tot- The “No on 45” term limits campaign kicks off in California. Ted Costa, Ted Costa, president of the California Committee ing special interest lobbyists crave for the return to their to Limit Terms, addresses the crowd. Also pictured (left to ‘good old days’ when they had a stranglehold on the leg- right): former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, California islature and had little regard for the interests of the Cali- Assemblyman Rod Pacheco, and Lewis K. Uhler, president of the National Tax Limitation Committee. fornia citizens.”

“Keeping His Word,” cont. from page 1 never became part of the Washington sys- To thank him even further, the U.S. Term tem. He stood up for Colorado values instead Limits Foundation aired an ad on Denver tele- of caving in to the special interests. And now, vision stations in December. The ad high- Schaffer’s keeping his term limits commit- lighted Schaffer’s “great tradition” of follow- ment.” ing “true statesmen like Bill Armstrong and When asked of his future plans, Schaffer Hank Brown,” former Colorado senators who said he’s “not too concerned” about what each served only six years in office. he’ll do next. The ad continues, saying that as a result “It’s like I’m standing in front of a juke Rep. Bob Schaffer of Schaffer taking a term limits pledge, “he box with a roll of quarters,” said Schaffer. (R-CO)

January 2002 Issue No Uncertain TERMS • U.S. Term Limits Foundation 7 10 G St., NE • Washington, DC 20002 • http://www.ustermlimits.org Six Candidates in 2002 Gubernatorial Races Pledge to Limit Their Terms in Office

John Baldacci www.baldacciforgovernor.com Mark Sanford Matt Salmon www.sanfordforgovernor.com www.salmonforgovernor.com

Van Hilleary Steve Largent Bob Riley

www.vanhilleary.com www.house.gov/largent www.bobrileyforgovernor.com

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8 No Uncertain TERMS • U.S. Term Limits Foundation January 2002 Issue 10 G St., NE • Washington, DC 20002 • http://www.ustermlimits.org