Posted on 05/20/2005 9:09:29 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO – In his strongest terms yet, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he would call a special election this fall "no matter what," saying the magnitude of the changes he is seeking are almost certain to require voter approval.
"We are going to call the special election no matter what. I can guarantee you that," Schwarzenegger said on KFBK-AM in Sacramento. " . . . I cannot think of a compromise that I can come up with that will make us happy because in order to change the budget one has to literally have the vote of the people. In order to change redistricting the way it is right now, we need a vote of the people."
Schwarzenegger has yet to sign an official proclamation calling for the election and said during the same interview that he remains interested in negotiating with lawmakers.
His spokeswoman, Margita Thompson, said it is still possible the state could avoid an election, although the options for doing so are dwindling as a June deadline approaches.
"The governor was saying that it looks increasingly likely that the Legislature is not going to come to any agreement," Thompson said. "They've not shown any inclination they want to compromise."
The governor's comments come as his administration and the Democrats who control the state Legislature embark on a war of words over the need for a special election and the prospects for compromise. Democrats say the issues the governor wants to address could be handled through negotiations or at the ballot box next year, rather than in a special election estimated to cost between $70 million and $80 million.
"It's a total waste of $80 million, when the same issues can be resolved several months later at no extra cost," said Steve Maviglio, spokesman for Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, D-Los Angeles.
Maviglio noted that the next regular statewide election is scheduled for June 2006.
In yet another sign that he is serious about promoting his agenda, Schwarzenegger is embarking on an out-of-state fundraising trip. He is scheduled to attend private Florida events in Tampa, Orlando and Miami today and tomorrow, and will visit Chicago and Dallas on Monday. His chief political strategist, Mike Murphy, said the governor and his supporters could spend $50 million on a special election campaign.
The governor has about a month to call a special election on his initiatives: increasing the length of time it takes teachers to get tenure; changing the way legislative district boundaries are drawn; and implementing a spending cap.
He dropped earlier proposals to reform the state's pension system and tie teacher pay to merit rather than tenure.
A special election ballot is likely to include a number of other initiatives, including a requirement that minors notify their parents before getting an abortion and a measure targeting the ability of unions, a staple of Democratic campaign contributions, to raise money from their members.
Since proposing his package in January, Schwarzenegger has urged – sometimes challenged – Democratic leaders to negotiate with him on alternative solutions.
Two of the governor's proposals – redistricting and the spending cap – would change the state Constitution and require voter approval.
Even if Democrats and the governor agreed on the two measures, they would still require passage in a statewide election.
Could be that he's grown tired of the Governor's role.
Arnold can offer to cut the size of government or walk away. Californians can decide.
The thrill is gone.
You might be right. Jessie Ventura turned into a mental case in the first year. Maybe Arnold doesn't want the same fate.
Jesse Ventura was always a mental case, it just took a little time in office for it to become obvious to all. If you ever get a chance to see the campaign commercials he ran when running for the governer's office, definitely watch them. They could be run unedited on Saturday night live.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
Not true. The California Supreme Court is mostly Republican and tends to be conservative. I'd be very surprised if they did not uphold the ballot measures.
In general, I think that was already voted on.
65% of voters went with the "No Tax" guys in the recall election.
Prop 287 was also voted in by the CA voters (I was then one) and look what happened? Illegals by the millions!
Except that we can get a head start on redistricting if that initiative passes.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
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