Special Election - Proponent's Grounds for Recall / Governor's Response

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Statewide Special Election Information

Proponent's Grounds for Recall / Governor's Response

Proponent's Recall Argument / Governor's Recall Argument

Candidates to Succeed Gray Davis as Governor if He Is Recalled

PROPONENT'S GROUNDS FOR RECALL AND THE GOVERNOR'S RESPONSE

The recall petition circulated throughout the state included arguments for and against a possible recall. For your information, we are providing an identical copy of these arguments below.

Proponent's Statement of Reasons

TO THE HONORABLE GRAY DAVIS: Pursuant to Section 11020, California Election Code, the undersigned registered qualified voters of the State of California, hereby give notice that we are the proponents of a recall petition and that we intend to seek your recall and removal from the office of Governor of the State of California, and to demand election of a successor in that office. The grounds for the recall are as follows: Gross mismanagement of California Finances by overspending taxpayers' money, threatening public safety by cutting funds to local governments, failing to account for the exorbitant cost of the energy fiasco, and failing in general to deal with the state's major problems until they get to the crisis stage. California should not have to be known as the state with poor schools, traffic jams, outrageous utility bills, and huge debts... all caused by gross mismanagement.

Governor's Answer to the Statement

IF YOU SIGN THIS PETITION, IT MAY LEAD TO A SPECIAL ELECTION THIS SUMMER COSTING US TAXPAYERS AN ADDITIONAL $20-40 MILLION.

Last November, almost 8,000,000 Californians went to the polls. They voted to elect Governor Davis to another term.

Just days after the Governor's inauguration in January, however, a handful of rightwing politicians are attempting to overturn the voters' decision. They couldn't beat him fair and square, so now they're trying another trick to remove him from office.

This effort is being led by the former Chairman of the State Republican Party, who was censured by his own party.

We should not waste scarce taxpayers' dollars on sour grapes. The time for partisanship and campaigning is past. It's time for both parties to work together on our State's problems.

Moreover, the allegations leveled against the Governor are false. As Governor, Davis has vetoed almost $9 BILLION in spending. California, along with 37 other states, is facing a budget deficit due to the bad national economy. The Bush Administration has announced the federal deficit this year will be the biggest in history, $304 BILLION.

In these difficult and dangerous times, LET'S WORK TOGETHER, not be diverted by partisan mischief.