ARNOLD TO CALL SPECIAL ELECTION DESPITE OPPOSITION, GOVERNOR REFUSES TO WAIT UNTIL 2006.

Byline: David M. Drucker Sacramento Bureau

SACRAMENTO - Defying Democratic obstinacy and public resistance, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today will call a special November election for voters to decide on a package of government reforms that could radically overhaul how Californians spend state tax dollars and elect their politicians.

Despite polls showing tepid support for a special election and the refusal of majority Democrats to negotiate on education reforms and other constitutional changes, Schwarzenegger is ready to fulfill the vow he made when elected to shake up Sacramento and change the way state lawmakers do business.

``We're preparing for what will be a substantial election,'' Schwarzenegger's communications director, Rob Stutzman, said.

``The government-employee unions have made it clear their strategy will be to demonize the governor. But we'll make it clear to voters that if you continue to let Sacramento be controlled by special interests, then we are destined to once again be saddled with a $22 billion debt (and) higher taxes, and end up near bankruptcy.''

A Public Policy Institute of California poll, released just weeks ago, found only 33 percent of adults support Schwarzenegger's plan for a special election, while 61 percent would prefer that he put his reforms on the ballot in June 2006, the next regularly scheduled statewide contest.

Democratic leaders, who control the Legislature, and their labor-union allies have mounted a months-long offensive, pounding the Republican governor with public protests and television ads criticizing the special election plan and the policies he is seeking to implement.

``I think it's irresponsible to have an election in November that's going to cost us $80 million. Why not wait till June of next year? Why do we have to have it now?'' Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuez, D-Los Angeles, said.

``I know the governor is not a right-wing nut, but he's certainly starting to act like one.''

Today is the deadline for Schwarzenegger to call a Nov. 8 election, and he will sign a proclamation ordering it. He is scheduled to address the state on live television from his Capitol office in Sacramento at 5 p.m. today.

Administration officials say the proclamation will include language directing the state to reimburse counties for the election's cost, originally estimated at up to $80 million by the secretary of state but now expected to cost $44.7 million because so many communities, including several in Southern California, are scheduled to hold local elections the same day.

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Conny B. McCormack doesn't foresee any problems, saying the state's most populous county is fully prepared and able to hold the contest. County government, not the state or federal government, is responsible for administering elections. McCormack's main concern is obtaining reimbursement for the cost, up to $13 million, this election will cost Los Angeles County government.

``Fortunately for some counties, they already have countywide elections, so it's not that difficult,'' said McCormack, who is also president of the California Association of Clerks and Elections Officials. Some cities in L.A. County are scheduled to hold elections on Nov. 8.

Schwarzenegger, believing Sacramento is almost hopelessly dysfunctional, has proposed three constitutional amendments.

To weed out bad teachers in kindergarten through 12th grade, he wants to extend the period - from two years to five years - required for them to earn the tenured status that makes firing difficult. He also wants to strip the Legislature of its power to draw political districts, giving it instead to a nonpartisan panel of retired judges. And he wants to empower the governor to unilaterally cut spending midyear should expenditures outpace revenues.

A number of other initiatives have qualified or could qualify for the November election, including a measure restricting how public-employee labor unions spend membership dues. Another proposal would re-regulate the power industry, and still another would prohibit a minor from having an abortion without parental consent.

Many ardent Schwarzenegger backers support the abortion-restriction measure. Many also favor the union-dues measure that supporters call ``Paycheck Protection'' and ``Paycheck Deception'' by opponents. Schwarzenegger supporters helped place each of these on the ballot with petitions, although the governor, who supports paycheck protection in principle, has yet to take a position on either.

``If Paycheck Protection is on the ballot in November, you're looking at a war the likes of which California has never seen, even during the recall,'' said Roger Salazar, a Sacramento-based Democratic political operative working for a coalition of education advocates, led by the California Teachers Association union, that opposes Schwarzenegger's measures.

``You'll have not just the governor and Democratic constituencies duking it out; you'll have people at the national level coming in. They're going to see this as a precedent-setting initiative.''

Initiatives not yet qualified for the ballot have until June 30 for the state's 58 counties to finish signature verification and the secretary of state to certify them.

David M. Drucker, [phone]

david.drucker(at)dailybulletin.com

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Despite a poll showing that a majority of Californians are against the idea, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will announce a November election for voters to decide on several government reforms.