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News 10 Democrats Challenge Schwarzenegger Over Special Election Funding In recent days Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has been ramping up plans for a November special election to put a package of major state reform initiatives before California voters. Now, California Democrats are asking how a state saddled with a massive budget deficit is planning to foot the huge financial bill for holding a statewide special election. Democratic Assembly leaders at the State Capitol on Wednesday called on Schwarzenegger to detail exactly where California will fund the estimated $80 million needed to put the governor's package of redistricting, teacher tenure and state spending cap items before the electorate. "I think the governor is being very disingenuous when he says there's money in a budget that's got a huge hole in it and not saying where it is," said Assemblyman Dario Frommer, D-Los Angeles. In a speech on Tuesday, Republican Secretary of State Bruce McPherson issued a revised estimate of $80 million to hold the special election. McPherson also cast doubt on whether any redistricting efforts passed by the voters in November could realistically be implemented before 2010. Schwarzenegger announced plans in January to transfer power over district boundaries from the state Legislature to a panel of appointed retired judges. That panel would then be tasked with restructuring California voting districts by November 2006. Last week, Schwarzenegger expressed confidence that if the special election is held, money will be available. "There is always money for things like that," said Schwarzenegger. "We don't worry about that." Democrats argue the governor's reform items can all wait until the next scheduled California election in June 2006. Schwarzenegger is beginning a four-day fundraising tour through Florida and Texas on Friday to raise money for the reform campaign. Critics said Schwarzenegger's time would be better spent working on legislative compromises to help stave off the need for a special election.
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