Argument in Favor of Proposition 33

Most working people in their 30's or 40's have a retirement plan. They pay into that plan each month—and their employer puts some in too. And at age 65 they can retire with full benefits.

But what would happen if you lost six years of service toward your pension? You'd have to work an additional six years—and wait to retire until after you were 70. That's exactly what people who run for state office are faced with. They are limited to six years of service in the Assembly or eight years in the State Senate—by term limits. But they are allowed no service time toward their pensions for the time they served in public office.

It's only fair that people who commit to public service are allowed to provide for their future.

PROPOSITION 33 WOULD TREAT STATE LAWMAKERS LIKE ALL OTHER PUBLIC EMPLOYEES.

It would allow Legislators to put aside some of their paycheck each month and have the State put some in too. No special deal. No special benefits. Just the same retirement plan available to the majority of state workers.

Nurses, Teachers, Firefighters, Farmers—people from these jobs can't retire on their investments, they need pension plans. And if we don't treat lawmakers like every other public employee, then soon we'll only have candidates rich enough not to need pensions.

Taxpayer activists and term-limit supporters like People's Advocate, labor unions like the California School Employees Association and many other diverse groups in California agree that people should not be discouraged from seeking public office.

MAKE SURE ALL CALIFORNIANS—NOT JUST THE RICH—HAVE A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN THE LEGISLATURE. VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 33.

PETER SZEGO, Chair
State Legislative Committee
American Association of Retired Persons
ALLAN ZAREMBERG, President
California Chamber of Commerce
DAN TERRY, President
California Professional Firefighters