Congressman Sherman Faults GovernorSchwarzenegger for Wasting Taxpayer Dollars

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Brad Sherman today criticized Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggers plan to call for a costly special election this November, and he said the timing is intended to let the governor skirt rules on how regular election campaigns are bankrolled.

œIm an accountant, but you dont have to be one to know the governor is wasting money, Sherman said.

œThe governor is wasting up to $80 million in taxpayer money and more private sector money because he wants these important issues decided in a low-turnout special election. He also wants to avoid the ethics rules that would apply to him if these issues were decided in a regular election, Sherman added.

œAll of these issues could have waited until the regularly scheduled June election, or the governor could have worked to move the primary to February or March to deal with all of these issues.

A majority of California voters oppose a special election this November 8. A recent survey found more than 60 percent prefer putting the issues on the ballot next year.