Copyright© 2004 by School Services of California, Inc.

Volume 17                   For Publication Date: December 17, 2004             No. 24

Reforming State Government: Special Election a Possibility  

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has shown that he can implement changes to state government without the involvement of the Legislature. He proved early in his administration that he could successfully use California ’s system of “direct democracy,” also known as the initiative process, to bypass the Legislature and bring issues directly to California voters. His most recent use of the initiative process was aimed at limiting state spending and clarifying the relationship between state and local government finance.  

The next statewide election is scheduled for June 2006. However, there have been reports that Governor Schwarzenegger might call for a special election to gain approval for major political reforms prior to June 2006. Under current law, the Governor has the authority to call a special election with at least five months notice. Included among the reforms that the Governor is reported to be contemplating bringing before voters are the following:  

·                    Redistricting. The current legislative and congressional district boundaries were drawn in 2001 by elected officials. The Governor has remarked that he would like to take this power out of the hands of elected officials. Signatures are currently being gathered to put on the ballot an initiative that would turn the job of redistricting over to retired judges.

·                    Budget Reform. Taxpayer advocates and Senator John Campbell (R-Irvine) are preparing a measure that would limit state spending increases to changes in population growth, plus inflation.

·                    Open Records. In November 2004, voters approved Proposition 59, which grants broader public access to local government and executive branch records. The Governor may be interested in extending similar public access laws to legislative meetings and records.

·                    Campaign Finance. The Governor has commented that he is in favor of instant, online disclosure of campaign contributions.  

The last time a California Governor called a special election was in 1993. It is estimated that a 2005 special election would cost roughly $60 million.

—Jannelle Kubinec