October 09, 2005

"Counties hope state covers tab"

"With the Nov. 8 special election less than a month away, county officials throughout California are hoping the state won't again stiff them in paying for the vote.

That's what happened in the 2003 recall election, when counties statewide were never reimbursed for the $55 million cost.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who called the November election in an effort to overhaul state government, has promised the state will pay for the estimated $44.7 million in extra county expenses next year. However, it remains to be seen if the Democrat-controlled Legislature will agree to cover the cost of a vote it deems unnecessary.

"We'll wait to see how that works out," said Mikel Haas, San Diego County's registrar of voters. "You don't really have a choice."

"The governor promised it'll be in next year's budget," Haas added, "but that has a long way to go until that ever gets approved."

You can read the article here.

Posted by Randy Riddle at October 9, 2005 12:52 PM