Posted on 02/22/2005 6:15:42 PM PST by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO — Californians can expect to see a massive campaign for their signatures as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger attempts to meet a narrow timetable for putting his government-overhaul initiatives on the ballot.
The Republican governor has given the Democrat-led Legislature until next Tuesday to put his package of proposed constitutional amendments onto the ballot, or he plans to bypass lawmakers.
Schwarzenegger's commitment to put his reforms before voters means he'll have just seven weeks to collect the 1.2 million signatures he needs — per initiative — to qualify for the ballot for a November election.
If Schwarzenegger wants to call a special election for Nov. 8, state election code mandates he do so no later than June 13. At least one initiative must qualify by then. And to meet that deadline, the secretary of state's office is recommending signatures be submitted by April 19.
"It's fair to say that this is unprecedented," said Tim Hodson, the executive director of the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento.
Ten measures are currently circulating for signatures, with 71 awaiting the go-ahead from the state attorney general's office. Some of those 71 are expected to begin circulating later this week, with more following throughout March and even as late as early April.
The governor's plans include overhauls of budgeting, pensions, public education and how political districts are drawn.
With next Tuesday's deadline approaching and initial policy hearings not even scheduled to begin — except for one — until Monday, it now appears certain the governor will be taking his measures to the voters, rather than waiting until the June 2006 primary or November general election.
The secretary of state's office estimates it will cost the state anywhere from $55 million to $60 million to hold a special election this year.
While analysts say the campaign for signatures in March and April will clearly be driven by Schwarzenegger, there are other political groups preparing to join him.
Citizens to Save California is raising money and could end up pushing several initiatives that mirror the governor's overhaul agenda.
Labor unions and other opponents have formed their own committee — Seriously, Saving California, composed of five labor unions, including the California Teachers Association and California Professional Firefighters.
"Our members are certainly motivated and committed," said Carrol Wills, a spokesman for the California Professional Firefighters union.
Dave Gilliard, a Republican political consultant who spearheaded the recall of former Gov. Gray Davis, said Schwarzenegger's biggest enemy is the calendar.
Gilliard also warned against "signature fatigue."
State law designates the responsibility for calling a special election to the governor, providing he set it for at least 148 days out and that at least one initiative has qualified.
And while many political analysts are assuming Schwarzenegger will call it for Nov. 8, there's nothing to stop him from calling it for later in November or even December.
In fact, a 1983 special election called by then-Gov. George Deukmejian to decide on a measure overhauling how political districts are drawn was held in December.
Let the games begin. I hope he makes the Democrats so mad they have steam coming out every orifice.
Wow, major brass ones! Hope he succeeds!
EEEEEEW, the imagery! That sweet roll suddenly isn't sitting so well...
Just like the ousting of Gray Davis......THIS IS IT KALIFORNIA! Get your engines ready to HAUL ASS against the Dimwit Socialist in Sacramento!
Hear, hear! If he can mobilize even a portion of the people who participated in the recall in order to reform Grey's phenominal failures, then he can succeed.
After all, isn't that why Arnie's gov instead of Gray?
Perhaps the constitution change should include "no re-election for Assembly persons and Senators."
Those guys are really ruining California.
After all, isn't that why Arnie's gov instead of Gray?
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With all due respect, the devil is in the details..
We now have more long term debt than even Gray had allowed to be run up, and also have seen an unprecedented level of GReenos put in charge of an environmentally charged state.
The claims that aRnold is a Hiram Jr are greatly exaggerated as are the chances that any, much less all of the reforms ideally needed, will pass, much less accomplish what they are intended to do.
But being as many of the sought reforms have as of yet to be clearly delineated for review, we are pretty much caught in a whirlwind of hype and being asked to blindly accept what is tossed around as the gospel and only way to fix what ails us.
We had sought to toss one set of socialists on their keesters yet many have unwittingly ended up embracing another band of socialists in so doing.
Progress, No. Progressivism in its ugliest form, is more than likely what is afoot.
Did you catch the guy from the Hoover Institute on O'Reilly last night? He was saying that spending will automatically increase by 10 BILLION $$ next year if nothing is done. 50 - 60 million is well worth the investment to stop 10 BILLION. Also, did anyone see O'Reily's face when the guy from Hoover said that California spends 50 BILLION $$ a year on education? And we are dead last in the state rankings!! I will definetly download a petition and get all my friends to sign it, just like a did to get rid of Gray Davis.
I don't agree with everything Arnold has done, but I will support redistricting, pension and education reform. BTW, I read that Arnold was giving up on pushing his reform (ie regional gov't intiative) so things are looking up.
He needs to focus on a few key reforms and stop this trying to do it all at once, as it is, a fall ballot will be so overstuffed with so many other issues for consideration and will likely mean a lot of folks will not even bother to vote.
Some folks think, because I take extreme positions and don't gve him carte blanche, that I want to see failure as the Gub's Legacy, at the rate he is trying to be all things to all people, he's doing a pretty good job of insuring it all by his lone self.
Yes, California is in a death spiral with mandates and more on the way if we aren't careful. Giving the dems a pass last year did not help slow it down a bit.
He does have emergency powers, but invoking them would be costly in approval ratings, and ya know that is one ting the Gub values more than anything.
Pity, that.
Ten measures are currently circulating for signatures, with 71 awaiting the go-ahead from the state attorney general's office. Some of those 71 are expected to begin circulating later this week, with more following throughout March and even as late as early April.
The governor's plans include overhauls of budgeting, pensions, public education and how political districts are drawn.
I think that this can be sold to the public as a "I need your help, the legislature won't do anything to save our sinking ship." The fact that he is going around them and going directly to the people is very appealling. After all, a large chunk of the electorate believes that the politicos in Sacramento are inept, corrupt weasels. Unless of course you are talking about their weasel.
I agree that many will balk at 71 initiatives and not bother voting. BUT, they may be mostly self absorbed liberals, so it would be a good thing if they stay home. I think that many people would want to help the guv fix the state, the key is a readable voter information pamphlet. If he prints a straight forward pamphlet, and follows it up with effective TV ads, I think he will get the worthy reforms passed.
I'm hoping the liberals stay home too,,
Agreed, Laying it on the voters in as simple a manner will be crucial.
Maybe the Gub could pay to have Fahrenhype 9/11 shown at local theaters FRee all day long, election day.
71 potential initiatives? damn, that's a lot of trees, the pamphlets will be 2 inches thick.
I wonder how many postal employees will have to file disability claims just delivering them? lol.
I bet real workers comp reform would make them go postal ;o)
On the KTVU 10 PM news, caught a snip of results of a new Field Poll that shows the Legislature is on shaky ground, as usual, with the public. I haven't located poll results online yet, should be out tomorrow for public viewing, I suspect.
The Legislature is seen as more confrontational and unwilling to work for needed reforms by a pretty significant margin.
Of course, 'experts' and media talking heads and analysts weighing in say the Gub may be risking too much in trying to use his popularity to push for broad reforms (no pun intended) in such an aggressive manner, and they won't be approved without democrat support.
BTTT!!!!
In reading the back and forth between you two of yesterday, I share forester's desire to grasp at any straw to give A.S. the benefit of some kind of doubt, but I sure am seeing an increase in Republican "whistling past the grave yard" and Democrat "sippin the insipid koolaid!"
I would be overjoyed if A.S. could inspire "the people" to adopt and ride his "Four Horsemen" of the CA Dem apocolypse to at least the victory that could give better government for the near future. But this whole Davis/Dem-lawmuckers train wreck is like the one in the 1970's when the train loaded with Vietnam War Bombs began blowing up the switching yard as it pulled into Roseville!!!
Both our CA Constitution and governmental scheme of things are becoming less stable and more the consistency of nitroglycerine, every day without strong, stable, committed leadership like we see currently in D.C.!
We keep lurching toward "Government by Whim" a little more each day with the usual tactic of "let's fool 'em, so's we can rule 'em," remaining the norm! (Sorry Norm)
No apology needed, SW. ;-)
Just getting folks to look at the big picture and acknowledge we are in a maelstrom of manure is a step in the right direction.
Does history repeat itself?
You damn betcha, if folks allow it to happen.
A state employee pension reform ballot initiative, which I believe will be handily approved by the voters, will be the biggest fiscal issue ever decided by Californians since Prop. 13. Look for one of the bloodiest fights ever waged by the unions.
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