THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA
www.cagreens.org
Monday, June 13, 2005
Contact:
Sara Amir, GPCA spokesperson 310.270.7106 saraamir@earthlink.net
Beth Moore Haines, GPCA spokesperson 530.277.0610 beth@ncws.com
Pat Driscoll, GP Sacramento spokesperson 916.320-6430 pat@sonicfrog.com
Special election is governor's 'great battle'
in an economic war against the working people of state, charge Greens
SACRAMENTO (June 13, 2005) - The Green Party of
California Monday said a multi-million special election in November
called by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger late Monday would hurt workers in
the state, while benefiting already wealthy business special
interests.
"As Greens we believe in fair elections, and
in this case, the governor's special interest friends have bought this
election - and are forcing the rest of us to pay for it," said
Pat Driscoll, a member of the Green Party of Sacramento county council
and former congressional candidate.
Estimates suggest the election would cost in the
$45 million to $80 million range, monies that come straight from the
pockets of workers, said Driscoll.
"The governor has just launched 'the great
battle' in the economic war he is waging on behalf of corporate
special interests against the working people of California," said
Driscoll, who noted recent polls show voters strongly oppose to the
special election.
Driscoll suggested that there is no immediate need
for this special election, and that if people are dissatisfied with
their state lawmakers, they should vote them out in 2006.
"Certainly, the Green Party believes
Democrats and Republicans generally have failed the people of this
state. But we wouldn't want a special election to throw them out. We
can wait until the next election," said Driscoll.
Hugo Vera, president of the Sacramento chapter of
the Mexican American Political Association (MAPA), said the governor
is simply not doing his job.
"He should not be creating legislation for
his friends in business, but acting as a chief executive to benefit
all of the people in this state. There are bills headed his way that
will raise the embarrassingly low minimum wage, provide health care
for all Californians and apologize for the illegal deportation of
400,000 citizens of Mexican descent by the state in the 1930s. He
should sign these bills, not spend money we don't have," said
Vera.
