State Senate Votes For Earlier Presidential Primary

Feb. 13 - KGO (KGO) -- California is on the fast track to boost its influence in picking next year's presidential nominees. The State Senate voted overwhelmingly to move the state's presidential primary, from June, to early February.

We've all heard the argument that moving up the primary would give California more clout. But it would do something else if lawmakers in Sacramento get their way.

The vote in the Senate was 31 to five in favor of moving the presidential primary from June to the first week in February. Other states may follow -- making for a huge Super Tuesday. But Senate President, Pro-Tem, Don Perata says it doesn't matter if other states try to do the same.

Sen. Don Peratta, (D) Oakland: "I still think we're the biggest dog in the kennel and when we say something and start barking, people are going to pay attention."

But the lawmakers voting today also plan to put another item on that early February ballot. One that if approved would extend term limits. Allowing people like Senator Perata to have another four years in the State Senate. That is why Republican Senator Dave Cox voiced his opposition. He says term limits extension is too big a conflict of interest.

Sen. Dave Cox, (R) Fairoaks: "People of the state of California put that on the ballot. They're the ones, who in fact, ought to run an initiative to either extend it, expand it, or do away with it."

Cox says lawmakers shouldn't be tinkering with term limits.

I asked Bob Stern at the Non-Partisan Center for Governmental Studies if the extension of term limits went on a February ballot -- how likely is it that voters would approve it?

Bob Stern, Center for Governmental Studies: "I think it's going to be a tough sell by the legislature, but I think the voters are feeling much better about the legislature and the governor given the last legislative session. So I think it's a possibility that the voters will extend term limits, but I think it's an uphill battle."

As for the term limits, extension being tied to the early presidential primary, Senator Perata said sure, lawmakers could separate the two, but not likely.

Senator Perata: "The more you take self interest out of any political decision, you reduce the ability to get something done. It's a plain fact of life."

The early primary measure still needs approval from the state assembly, but it has a good deal of support in the assembly for the same reasons we've mentioned. It could be passed and signed into law within a month, proving the state legislature really can act quickly to make significant changes -- particularly when their jobs here at the capitol are part of the deal.

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