California Republican State Senator Denham Faces Recall Election--Impact on State Budget Crisis

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Marty D. Omoto
Director/Organizer
California Disability Community Action Network

California Secretary of State Debra Bowen today (March 18) certified that enough valid voter signatures were submitted to proceed with a recall election of Republican State Sen. Jeff Denham of Merced in the 12th State Senate District. Denham [[pictured left in a photo last year] was first elected to the State Senate in 2002 and is termed out in 2010.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is now required to set an election date for the recall 60 to 80 days from today (March 18). It is likely that the Governor will schedule the recall election for June 3, the same day as the California State primary election when all 80 Assembly seats are up for election, along with some State Senate seats.

Supporters of the recall want Denham removed from office in large part due to his refusal to vote for the State Budget last August that was delayed for over 51 days. That delay, supporters of the recall claim, caused widespread panic and harm to thousands of people with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors and others across the State due to the cut off of State funding until a budget was passed. Denham has said his refusal to support the State Budget last August was because it was seriously out of balance and required more spending cuts.

Recall Battle Will Complicate and Intensify Budget Battle

The recall election will complicate and increase the intensity of the budget fight in the Legislature, especially in the State Senate where Denham, first elected in 2002 and other Senate Republicans have accused Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (Democrat - Oakland, 9th District) of sponsoring the recall effort. Perata has denied that charge.

The impact of the recall election on the State Budget crisis will be significant, and will have major influence on what eventually happens to many of the proposed spending reductions of critical services and programs serving persons with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors and low income families. It could influence what happens to various proposals to increase revenues, including closing certain tax loopholes.

Denham, broke ranks with other Senate Republicans, and voted to support the Governor's proposal - advanced by Senate Democrats - to end exemptions of state sales taxes for yachts, recreational vehicles and small planes bought outside California but brought into the State within 12 months. The Senate passed the measure as part of the special session emergency budget bills in February, but that bill stalled in the Assembly. Supporters of the recall say Denham's vote was made because of the recall threat, which Denham denied.