Fund-raising begins for term limits

The first big campaign contributions are rolling in for an initiative that would alter California's 1990 term limits law, allowing lawmakers to serve 12 years in either house. The initiative, which also would extend the power of Senate leader Don Perata and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (pictured), received a nod of approval yesterday from AG Jerry Brown.

Not surprising, the donations are coming from public employee unions. On Monday, the California State Council of Service Employees Issues Committee, representing one of the largest unions in the state, contributed $200,000 to the Committee for Term Limits and Legislative Reform. Another $50,000 came from the California School Employees Assn., which represents the cafeteria workers, attendance clerks, office staff, janitors and other "classified" employees.

View PDF filings of contributions here and here. It takes about $1.5 million to place an initiative on the ballot. The term limits effort is expected to eventually attract many millions - from all corners of the establishment, not just unions.

(Photo: Rich Pedroncelli/AP)