[BillyBoy]

How often does California have "special elections"? Given the zillions of people in California and how much money it will cost to have them all vote, wouldn't it be easier to put this stuff on the ballot in a REGULAR election? They must have some local elections in 2005 (mayoral, etc.) And all you have to do is wait til November 2006 for midterm elections...

[FairOpinion]

Here is Arnold's answer to your concern:

"I know some people say, "Arnold, why not wait until next year? Why have a special election now?"

But how can we just stand around while our debt grows each year by billions of dollars? If you break your arm, you don't wait until your next physical. You get it fixed now.

That's why I say don't wait until next year or the year after because every year we're adding billions of dollars in new debt.

Even if we reach a bipartisan agreement in the Legislature to bring about reform, constitutionally the people must still vote. There must still be an election.

People ask about the cost of the election. Well, do the math: for a buck and a quarter per citizen, you can fix a broken system and save the state billions of dollars. Now remember this is your money. That is a fantastic bargain!"

(From Post 2)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Don't bother us, when we are trying to handle our chaos....

[Bonaparte]

Not all jurisdictions in this state have elections in 2005. Also, regular off-year elections have traditionally low turn-out. $80 million is nothing compared to what the democrats in Sacto would spend if we waited another 17 months to vote on these issues. It's worth the money to do it this fall.

[calcowgirl]

There is ONE reason Arnold HAS to have a special election, and he HAS to get his spending reform package passed. It buries a bunch of new debt to pay back all the promised education and transportation funds that he has raided, and will continue to raid for another year. This measure includes paying those back over a 15 year period, instead of over the next several years as required by current law. They add up to about $10 Billion. If he doesn't pass it, he will have to face tax increases or finally cut the budget. It's the new credit card he is applying for (since he promised to cut up all the others).

Legislative Analysts Office

(snip)

Proposal

This measure:

• Eliminates the operation of Test 3 and maintenance factors.

• Provides that future overappropriations may be counted as one-time funding, which would not raise the base upon which future Proposition 98 calculations are made.

• Requires the payment of settle-up obligations for years prior to 2004-05 to be paid within 15 years.

• Converts the 2005-06 outstanding maintenance factor to a one-time obligation that is required to be paid within 15 years.

(snip)

Proposal
This measure prohibits the suspension of Proposition 42 transfers after 2006-07. The total amount of transfers that were suspended through June 30, 2007 would be paid within 15 years, at an annual rate of no less than one-fifteenth of the cumulative amount owed. The measure also permits the Legislature to authorize the issuance of bonds by the state or local agencies that are secured by the payments of suspended Proposition 42 transfers.

(snip)