Goldberg for Assembly!

Today a group of Sacramento organizations came out with a term limits extension proposal that would go on the ballot if the Legislature can't find the guts to do it themselves. A PPIC Study and the editorial boards throughout the state have come out for a fix to our stupid term limits.

But the best thing about an extension of term limits as currently written by this Sacramento coalition is the ability for true progressives to find their way back to the Assembly. Termed out members who are real champions for immigrant rights, civil rights, gay marriage, the environment and labor would be able to challenge some of the lesser-known and less experienced incumbents.

The great hope would be if Jackie Goldberg, who was slighted by the Speaker in 2006, chose to run for her Assembly seat in 2008 once she has the right to another six years. She clearly would have the community support and would be able to raise the volunteers and money necessary to win.

This would also allow Dario Frommer to run again in the 43rd AD, for Bermudez to run in the 56th, Ed Chavez to run against Ed Hernandez, and there would probably be dozens of similar situations throughout the state that I just don't know about. Admittedly, these aren't all big wins for progressives, but getting someone like Jackie back into elected office would be worth it!