Here is this morning's LA Times piece on the re-districting initiative's "small flaws", read it for yourself, and join the conversation this morning with Ted Costa and Duf Sundheim on the "Hogue Show" for clarification.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is facing yet another problem over one of his high-profile initiatives: The version that petition-signers placed on the ballot is different from the one state officials approved for circulation.
The problem emerged three weeks ago in the bid to change how district boundaries are drawn for elected officials. The governor wants a panel of retired judges to establish the lines, potentially altering the balance of power in Sacramento.
Backers of the initiative said they made a "small legal error" as they gathered signatures this winter and spring: The petition voters saw was not exactly the same as the one approved for circulation by California Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer and reviewed by the state legislative analyst, as the law requires.
California Secretary of State Bruce McPherson has asked Lockyer's office for a legal opinion on how to proceed with the redistricting initiative, which more than 900,000 voters approved for the Nov. 8 special election ballot. It will be known as Proposition 77.
Aides to McPherson and Lockyer declined to comment except to confirm that the legal review was taking place. Supporters of the initiative dismissed the problem as insignificant but were bracing for a lawsuit this week, possibly filed by the attorney general.
